Zambia Women’s national team boss Bruce Mwape has summoned 27 players to start preparations for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The squad is led by China-based star player Barbra Banda. Other notable names in the team are goalkeeper Catherine Mulenga, defenders Lushomo Mweemba and Anita Mulenga. Others are Misozi Zulu, Grace Chanda, and Judith Zulu.
Mwape has also named five young players in the team in In’gutu Muchahabali, Judith Soko, Esther Siamfuko, Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda, and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji.
Defensive midfielder, Rhoda Chileshe is still out injured and hence misses out on the squad.
However, Mwape has continued to sideline Margaret Belemu. There is also no space for enterprising midfielders Evarine Susan Katongo and Natasha Nanyangwe. The team will report to camp on Friday 2 April 2021.
The Olympics will officially run between 24 July and 9 August 2021, but sporting action kicks off two days before the opening ceremony with preliminary women’s football matches set to light up the occasion for various sports disciplines.
FULL-SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Catherine Musonda (Indeni Rose), Ngambo Musole (Zesco), Ingutu Muchahabali (YASA), Chiko Nkhoma (Red Arrows), Aisha Gama (Chipata Queens)
(DEFENDERS)
Doreen Mwaseba (Red Arrows), Agness Musesa (Green Buffaloes), Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (all Green Buffaloes), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Judith Soko (YASA), Ethel Chama (Green Buffaloes)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Judith Zulu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Mulenga, Mary Wilombe (both Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco), Tryness Changwe (Green Eagles), Grace Nanyinza (Indeni Roses)
(STRIKERS)
Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos), Grace Chanda (Red Arrows), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Esther Banda (Bauleni Sports Academy), Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows), Naomi Phiri ( Lusaka Dynamos), Theresa Chewe (Green Buffaloes)
