US-born striker of Zambian descent Samiah Phiri’s switch to Zambia has stalled.
Phiri, who is on the books of Evian Thonon Grande Genève Féminin in the French Seconde Ligue, received her first call-up to the Copper Queens in January for a local camp in Lusaka after expressing her desire to represent Zambia.
However, BolaNews sources have revealed that it is now unlikely the 22-year-old will be part of the Copper Queens squad for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which is set to kick off on March 17 despite growing uncertainty over the host.
After making her professional move to France in February 2025, following a standout college career with the Pittsburgh Panthers Women’s Soccer team, where she made 21 appearances in 24 matches and scored 20 goals across three seasons, she told BolaNews in June that she was willing to play for Zambia.
“I asked my father why I shared the same name as the Zambian girls, and he explained my roots. Since then, I’ve felt a strong connection to Zambia… I have followed the players that are playing in the NWSL, like Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji, so I’m inspired to see them in the top league,” Phiri said.
Phir’s Zambia-Zimbabwe connection
Information has emerged that Phiri’s father, Stephen Phiri, was born in Zimbabwe to a Zimbabwean mother and a Zambian father but lost touch with most of his Zambian family, making it difficult to acquire a passport for the player.
“The situation is complicated. FAZ has been unable to help facilitate her passport because there are no witnesses to prove that she is Zambian,” a source told BolaNews.
Both Phiri and her father reportedly do not know most of his family members in Zambia, who could assist them in obtaining the necessary documentation for her to qualify to play for the Copper Queens.
“As it stands, nothing has changed. Everything remains like this. There seem to be no solution at the momemt,” another source familiar with the situation told BolaNews.
Phiri had earlier disclosed that she and her father were in the process of tracing their roots to Zambia, especially since her father was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the United States at a young age.
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