The Zambia Women’s National Team will be without 21-year-old Green Buffaloes FC defender Lushomo Mweemba for the upcoming games.
On Wednesday, coach Bruce Mwape named a 32-member provisional local squad for the upcoming back-to-back international friendlies against South Korea.
Mweemba’s absence from the list sparked outrage among Zambian fans who demanded an explanation.
Mweemba is one of the Copper Queens’ most seasoned players. She was key at the Women’s Africa Cup where Zambia stormed the semifinals to secure their first-ever World Cup qualification.
The Copper Queen also helped Green Buffaloes women’s team in winning the COSAFA women’s club Champions League in 2022.
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Mweemba also participated in the second edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League where her club Green Buffaloes got eliminated from the group stage.
Lushomo Mweemba’s injury is a huge blow for coach Mwape, but he is confident other girls will step up.
Mwape has revealed that Mweemba is seriously injured that’s why she was not included in the latest squad.
“We have very serious injuries like the one for Lushoma and Esther,” said the Copper Queens coach. ” Those two I think we will miss them.”
The injury she has suffered as well as the time it will take her to recover has not been mentioned but the coach said, she will be greatly missed in the squad.
Mwape is, however, impressed with the players available in camp who are capable of stepping up in the absence of Mweemba.
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He is happy the team will be playing high-profiled friendlies as they prepare for the World Cup.
“Its actually important [to play against high-profiled teams]…. Because we are also trying to look at the tactics of other teams that will be playing at the world cup…… Because those are the teams that we will play at the world cup.”
The Copper Queens will play back-to-back international friendly matches with South Korea on the 7th and 11th of April.
This is to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be held from July 20th to August 20th.
Zambia will be making their debut at the Women’s World Cup. They are in Group C with Costa Rica, Japan, and Spain.
