Zambia Senior Women’s National Team Coach Bruce Mwape has summoned 28 Copper Queens for local camp ahead of the upcoming assignments for the Tokyo bound team who will also be preparing to fight for the COSAFA Women’s Championship which is tentatively set for Port Elizabeth next month.
Mwape has maintained the core of the team that made history with a maiden Olympic qualification to the Olympics to be hosted by Japan next year in July, he has also included a blend of Under-20 players who were part of the 2019 Inaugural COSAFA Championship.
Midfielder workaholic Rhoda Chileshe makes a return from injury having missed the final round second leg match against Cameroon. The most anticipated call-up is the return of Red Arrows influential Midfielder Mary Wilombe who was missing for a national assignment for quite some time now but this time she is back in the squad and she will be hoping to use her experience going forward.
Other new names and returnees in the team include National Assembly goalkeeper Natasha Chanda, Memory Nthala from Green Buffaloes, the skillful Natasha Nanyangwe from Green Eagles, Jackline Nkole returns to the fold too.
Those from the Under-20 are Thandiwe Ndhlovu from Zesco, Green Buffaloes’ speedy winger Maylan Mulenga, alongside Mary Manbwe from Red Arrows, and Salome Phiri from Bauleni United Sports Academy (BUSA).
The 2020 COSAFA has set up a tentative calendar subject to the Covid-19 situation in the region that will see the tournament being played from October 19-31 in Port Elizabeth.
Thereafter, the Copper Queens will shift their concentration to an International friendly match against Chile slated for 28th November and 2nd December 2020 in Santiago.
The team is expected to enter residential camp this weekend on Sunday 27th September 2020.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Catherine Musonda (Indeni), Hazel Nali (Green Buffaloes), Ngambo Musole (Zesco), Natasha Chanda (National Assembly)
(DEFENDERS)
Anita Mulenga, Agness Musesa, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Khosa, Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (Zesco), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Eagles), Jackline Nkole (Indeni),
(MIDFIELDERS)
Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Ireene Lungu, Mary Mwakapila, Judith Zulu (Green Buffaloes) Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Thandiwe Ndhlovu (Zesco), Amira Njovu, Tryness Changwe (Green Eagles), Misozi Zulu (Indeni)
(STRIKERS)
Grace Chanda (Zesco), Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows), Salome Phiri ( Bauleni )
