Zambia Women national team head coach Bruce Mwape has named a 29 member squad for the 2020 Olympics qualifier third round the first leg against Botswana slated for Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on 2nd October.
Mwape has summoned the three foreign-based stars in Spanish based Barbara Banda who missed the second round against Zimbabwe due to injury and Kazakhstan based duo of Misozi Zulu and Rachel Kundananji.
Barbra Banda who missed out in the 2nd round #tokyo2020 qualifiers due to an injury is finally back with the squad.
On Sunday, Banda scored a hat trick for @EdfFemenino in the #PrimeraIberdrola counter against @CD_Tacon. Her side emerged victorious and are now ranked 2nd. pic.twitter.com/FBX7KUkngh
— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) September 23, 2019
Mwape has also handed Red Arrows no-nonsense defender Fikile Khosa her first national team calls up. Team manager Besa Chibwe unveiled the 29 member squad to FAZ Media and confirmed that the team had regrouped on Sunday and are camped at Tecla Hotel.
The Copper Queens qualified to the third round of the 2020 Olympics after hammering Zimbabwe 5-0 in Lusaka and a 3-0 walkover win in the second leg after the Zimbabwe women’s national team didn’t show up for the match at their own home in Harare.
The return leg is set for October 6th away in Botswana. The winner over the two legs will qualify to the fourth round to face winners between Ghana and Kenya.
The full team
Goalkeepers
Hazel Nali(Green Buffaloes), Edith Zulu(Yasa), Ngambo Musole(Zesco), Annie Namonge(Indeni)
Defenders
Agness Musesa, Martha Tembo, Anita Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Margret Belemu, Emeldah Musonda, Fikile Khosa(Red Arrows), Lushomo Mweemba(Nkwazi), Vast Phiri(Zesco), Patrica Lampi(Yasa), Jackline Nkole, Grace Nanizya(Indeni).
Midfielders:
Milika Limwanya, Mary Mulenga, Hellen Chanda(Red Arrows), Mary Mwakapila, Judith Zulu(Green Buffaloes), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni), Misozi Zulu (BIIK-Kazakhstan)
Strikers :
Ochumba Oseke(Nkwazi), Grace Chanda(Zesco), Hellen Mubanga(Red Arrows), Racheal Nachula(Green Buffaloes), Avel Chitundu, Racheal Kundananji (BIIK Kazakhstan), Barbra Banda (EDF Logrono)
