Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda will miss next months’ three International friendly matches, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed.
Banda who is back at club Shanghai Shengli in China will not be available due to club commitments and travel complications due to the COVID-19 situation.
Coach Bruce Mwape has also recalled striker Hellen Chanda who last made the squad during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics played in 2021.
Mwape has named his 32-member preliminary squad for the Turkish Women’s Cup to be staged in Alanya this month.
Nine foreign-based players will be expected to connect directly to Turkey led by Grace Chanda, Rachel Kundananji, Ireen Lungu and Margaret Belemu.
Avell Chitundu, Maweta Chilenga and Natasha Nanyangwe have not made the cut.
The Turkish Women’s Cup will be held from 13-22 February 2023 in Alanya.
At the Turkish Women’s Cup, Zambia will open their campaign against the hosts Turkey on 15 February at the Miracle Sport Complex before entertaining Slovenia three days later at the same venue.
The tournament is being played on a round-robin basis and the Copper Queens will play their third and final match against Uzbekistan on 21 February at the Miracle Sports Complex.
Zambia is using the Turkish Cup as part of preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which kicks off in July.
The Copper Queens are in Group C alongside Spain, Costa
Rica and Japan.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda (INDENI Roses), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey), Loveness Tonge (Prison Leopards)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu, Misozi Musonda (both Elite Ladies), Esther Banda (BUSA), Judith Soko (YASA), Jackline Nkole (INDENI Roses)
MIDFIELDERS
Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda (both BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Mary Wilombe, Prisca Chilufya, Susan Banda, Mary Mambwe (All Red Arrows),
STRIKERS
Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Jessy Zulu (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Eneless Phiri (Nkwazi Queens), Regina Chanda (ZANACO Ladies), Hellen Mubanga, Rachael Nachula (both Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji (both Madrid CFF)
