Zambia Women’s National Team coach Bruce Mwape has named his provisional squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to kick off from July 20th to August 20th in New Zealand and Australia as co-hosts.
The 35-member squad sees sidelined defender Lushomo Mwemba, who is on the mend, make a return to the team.
The Turkish-based striker Prisca Chilufya and wing wizard Misozi Zulu, who were left out of the previous squad, have also been included.
Meanwhile, Avell Chitundu, whose fans were outraged when she was left out of the squad, makes the cut, wile newcomer Inonge Koloustin has been dropped.
The Copper Queens will enter camp this month in preparation for a series of friendly games ahead of the World Cup.
They will play Ireland and Switzerland in June before ending their preparations in July with a match against two-time world champions Germany.
READ ALSO: Lushomo Mweemba begins light training
Zambia will compete in its first Women’s World Cup this year. They were drawn in Group C alongside Spain, Costa Rica, and Japan.
The Copper Queens will kick off their campaign on 22nd July 2023 against Japan.
Fans react to the provisional squad
Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to react to the provisional squad.
Micah Micah, a Facebook user wrote: “This system of choosing players just because people have spoken about is not good. This is world cup and best teams are there and best players of all the world are there. Do not leave the good players in the name of making people happy. All we want are good results not just a name that we went to the world cup.”
Philimon McMumba also commented on Facebook: “It’s a good squad, hopefully, some supporters will question the dropping of some players from the squad just like they did the last time. If they won’t then it’s clear that we as supporters we have favorites and are resistant to change.”
Godfrey Kayombo wrote: “This coach almost brought armageddon by leaving out chitundu the last time out,am sure he has learnt it the hard way,never leave out players who are in good form..”
Trilix Lix Patyz, “This is the selection of fans, not faz. So let’s be ready for this kaili it’s the fans who claimed players on merit.”
