Copper Queens attacker Grace Chanda will miss this month’s 2024 Women’s Africa Cup (WAFCON) qualifiers as she is still recovering from the illness that ruled her out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
BolaNews sources have confirmed that the 26-year-old attacker, who has been undergoing medical examinations at her club in Madrid, Spain, will not be available for the back-to-back WAFCON qualifier matches against Angola on November 27, 2023, and December 12, 2023.
Chanda who was voted the runner-up for the 2022 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year Award, which Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria won, last played for her club in May in a 2-1 Liga F win over Barcelona last season.
The attacker, whose illness has not been disclosed for privacy reasons, has not made an appearance this season.
Chanda scored three goals in 11 starts out of 26 games for Madrid CFF last season. It was her first season at the club after joining them on a two-year deal last year from BIIK Kazgurt.
The former Zesco Ndola Girls forward also last played for Zambia in a 3-3 draw against Switzerland in June. She scored the first goal of the match before getting substituted in the second half.
Chanda now becomes the fourth starter in the Copper Queens squad that will miss the WAFCON qualifiers. She is only expected to return in January next year.
Others include Marget Belemu and Ochumba Oseke who are undergoing military training with the Zambia Air Force.
Goalkeeper Hazel Nali is also recovering from an ACL injury and will not be available for selection.
