Mwape Names Side for Morocco Clash

The Zambia Women’s National Team coach Bruce Mwape has named his squad for next month’s back-to-back 2024 Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier matches against the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

The 34-member squad will see the return of Madrid CFF attacker Grace Chanda who has been out with illness for nine months. Her last game with the Copper Queens was the 3-3 draw with Switzerland on 30 June, 2023.

Another familiar face with be INDENI Roses’ Rhoda Chileshe, who missed recent fixtures against Angola and Ghana. ZESCO Ndola Girls striker Charity Mubanga together with her teammate Vast Phiri will also feature.

The Copper Queens are due to start the camp on Sunday, 24 March 2024 after the FAZ Women’s Super League weekend fixtures.

According to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) new call-ups are set to include include ZANACO defender Bernadette Mubanga and U17 midfielder Mapalo Maluba. Israel-based goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and Hakkarigucu Spur (Turkey) midfielder Hellen Chanda are expected to miss out due to injury.

The Copper Queens will first host the Atlas Lionesses at 19h00 on Friday, 5 April 2024 before travelling for the away match on 9 April. The overall winner will secure one of the two available spots for African nations at the Olympics.

The other slot will be decided based on the outcome of a Nigeria versus South Africa clash.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Annie Namonje (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes), Eunice Sakala (INDENI Roses), Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies),

DEFENDERS

Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Esther Siamfuko, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Banda (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (YASA), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Bernadette Mubanga, Thelma Chella (both ZANACO Ladies)

MIDFIELDERS

Grace Chanda (Madrid CFF), Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Ireen Lungu (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Rhodah Chileshe (INDENI Roses), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), Salome Phiri (Green Buffaloes), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Ruth Mukisi, Esther Muchinga (both ZANACO Ladies), Mapalo Maluba (Marvellous Girls FC), Prisca Chilufya (Club Juarez Femenil-Mexico),

STRIKERS

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Eneless Phiri (Nkwazi Queens), Kabange Mupopo, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Charity Mubanga, Fridah Kabwe (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Namasiku Lungowe (ZISD Women), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel)

Source: FAZ