Copper Queens attacker Grace Chanda is still recovering from the illness that ruled her out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
BolaNews sources have revealed that she has been undergoing medical examinations at her club in Madrid, Spain, and could soon return to the pitch.
The 26-year-old Madrid CFF attacker was left out of coach Bruce Mwape’s squad in September, which played back-to-back international friendly games against Morocco in Rabat.
Chanda last played for her club in May in a 2-1 Liga F win over Barcelona last season, which saw her compatriot, Racheal Kundananji, score a brace.
The attacker, whose illness was not disclosed for privacy reasons, was given time by her club to fully recover.
Two months ago, she wrote on her official Facebook page, “Determined to get back. Recovery mode is fully activated.”
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.
Chanda’s return important for Zambia for the WAFCON qualifiers
The playmaker, who was voted the runner-up for the 2022 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year Award, which Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria won, will be looking to bounce back to her usual best as she is reportedly training well.
With Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers set to start this month, Zambians will hope she returns soon.
The Copper Queens will face Angola on November 27, 2023, in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers. That will be followed by the second leg on December 12, 2023, in Lusaka.
READ MORE: Copper Queens to face unbeaten Ghana in Olympic Games qualifiers
Chanda’s return to the Copper Queens squad could be a huge boost for Mwape’s squad.
The former Zesco Ndola Girls forward 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.
