Zambia Women’s Super League 2022/2023 top scorer Xiomara Mapepa and Green Buffaloes towering defender Agness Musesa have both been left out of the final squad for the back-to-back friendlies with Morocco, while Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananj headline the call-ups.
As the Copper Queens regroup to prepare for the defense of their COSAFA title and 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, head coach Bruce Mwape has named his final squad, which has since left Rabat this afternoon.
According to a statement by FAZ, “Mwape will use the friendlies to prepare for the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship that will run from October 4–15 in South Africa.”
This will be the team’s first outing since competing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they finished third in Group C with three points.
The squad has been headlined by skipper Banda and red-hot Madrid CFF striker Kundananji.
Mwape has also named familiar faces in the other three departments, including goalkeeper Catherine Musonda of Tomiris Turan, Defenders such as Martha Tembo of BIIK Kazygurt, and Green Buffaloes captain Lushomo Mweemba.
Others include Hellen Chanda, Comfort Selemani, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Zesco Ndola Girls pair, Leticia Lungu, and Vast Phiri.
The Copper Queens are in Group B alongside Angola, Mozambique, and Comoros at the regional competition.
Following the COSAFA, the Copper Queens will turn their attention to the second round of the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers. They are scheduled to play Mali in a two-leg match in November.
FULL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda (Tomiris-Turan-Kazakhstan), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Leticia Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
DEFENDERS
Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies)Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Esther Siamfuko, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Banda (all Green Buffaloes). Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Jackline Nkole (Indeni Roses)
MIDFIELDERS
Hellen Chanda (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Ireen Lungu (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women). Mary Wilombe, Susan Banda (both Red Arrows) Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies)
STRIKERS
Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows). Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Rachael Kundananji (Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)
