Zambia Women’s national team forward Barbara Banda has started her over 4,200 miles journey to Zambia from Spain to join her teammates in camp ahead of the back to back Tokyo 2020 Olympic fourth round qualifiers against Kenya.
Her club EDF Logroño which competes in the Spanish top tier of Women’s football confirmed the development on their official Twitter account.
Dos de las futbolistas del @EdfFemenino Banda e Ida partiendo desde la estación de autobuses para sus compromisos internacionales en los que van a disputar con sus selecciones las semifinales de la fase de clasificación para los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio 2020.
Mucha Suerte !! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/L6zVkpUqmr— DUX Logroño (@DUXLogrono) November 4, 2019
Banda is one of the three foreign-based players summoned by coach Bruce Mwape for the two matches. The other two are Kazakhstan based Misozi Zulu and Rachael Kundananji.
Zambia will be away to Kenya on November 8 and host the Harambee starlets in the return leg four days later in Lusaka.
Four top teams on the African continent Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Zambia have remained in the qualification race.
The winners of the two fixtures will face off in the final qualifying round that will see the victor qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics while the loser will play Chile in a playoff.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Hazel Nali (Green Buffaloes), Inutu Muchahabali (YASA), Ng’ambo Musole (Zesco), Annie Namonje (Indeni)
(DEFENDERS)
Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Emeldah Musonda, Fikile Khosa, Margaret Belemu, Mary Mulenga (all Red Arrows), Lushomo Mwemba (Nkwazi), Vast Phiri (Zesco), Mapalo Kapindula (Breakthrough)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Misozi Zulu (BIIK Kazakhstan), Judith Zulu, Mary Mwakapila (both Green Buffaloes), Hellen Chanda, Prisca Chilufya (both Red Arrows), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni)
(STRIKERS)
Theresa Chewe (Indeni), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Hellen Mubanga (Red Arrows), Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes), Rachael Kundananji (BIIK Kazakhstan), Barabara Banda (EDF Logrono)
