Zambia Women’s National team Coach Bruce Mwape has named a 32-member provisional
squad for the international friendly match against the Netherlands scheduled for October 6, 2022.
Mwape has recalled the Europe-based trio of Racheal Kundanji, Rachael Nachula and Prisca
Chilufya who all missed the Womens Africa cup due to eligibility rules by CAF.
The squad also comprises all the players that were part of the team at Morocco Womens Africa Cup where the they walked away with bronze medals after finishing in third place following a 1-0 win over Nigeria.
According the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the Copper Queens will face the
Orange Lionesses of the Netherlands in a friendly match to be played on Thursday, October 6 in Breda.
Both teams will be using the match to prepare for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World
Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July 2023.
The Copper Queens qualified to their first ever World Cup tournament after beating the Teranga
Lionesses of Senegal 4-2 on post-match penalties which saw them progress to the semi-final and
guarantee them an automatic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 2022 COSAFA Women’s Champions and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up
last met the Orange Lionesses at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games in a group stage match that ended 10-3 in favour of the European side.
The return of the Europe-based trio of Racheal Kundanji who plies her trade at Spanish side Madrid CFF, Racheal Nachula from Zaragoza CFF in Spain and midfielder Prisca Chilufya from Kazakstan side FC Tomiris as well as skipper Barbra Banda who were all disqualified from participating at the previous Africa Cup due to high testosterone levels is being seen as a huge boost for Mwape’s side ahead of the World cup next year.
FULL SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS
Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Spor-Turkey), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Mwila Chishala Mufute (Police Doves)
DEFENDERS
Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Margaret Belemu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Bertha Imponene (Police Doves), Vast Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies FC)
MIDFIELDERS
Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Esnard Shuko Mambwe, Mary Wilombe, Mary Mambwe (all Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Prisca Chilufya (FC Tomiris Turan-Kazakhstan), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows
STRIKERS
Rachael Kundananji, Grace Chanda (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies FC), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China),), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Jessy Zulu (Pataaki FC), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Rachael Nachula (Zaragoza CFF-Spain).
