Copper Queens coach names 35 member FIFA Women’s World Cup provisional squad

Defender Lushomo Mweemba has returned to the Copper Queens set up after missing the trip to South Korea due to injury. 

The defensive Queenpin is part of the 35 member FIFA Women’s World Cup provisional squad announced by coach Bruce Mwape. 

Mwape has named a squad comprising 22 locals and 13 foreign based players that will have a local camp on June 3 before proceeding to Germany for an international camp preceding the biggest women’s football showpiece in the world.

Mweemba who has been out for close to two months and Youngster Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda return to the squad alongside Avell Chitundu, Misozi Zulu and Prisca Chilufya who all missed out on the Korea trip. 

Others who have made the cut include Zanaco Ladies’ Regina Chanda, Jackline Nkole, Rhoda Chileshe, Esther Chitete Munsaka and Leticia Lungu. 

Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club forward Maylan Mulenga who finished the FAZ Women’s Super League season as the third highest goalscorer with 23 goals has also been included in the squad. 

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.

The Copper Queens are in Group C at the Women’s World Cup and will commence their debut outing with a match against Japan on July 22 followed by Spain four days later and Costa Rica on July 31.

Prior to the FIFA World Cup, the Copper Queens will set up base in Furth and will play high profile matches in Europe against Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.

GOALKEEPERS

Catherine Musonda (Tomiris-Turan-Kazakhstan), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey), Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies), Letisha Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

DEFENDERS

Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu, Esther Banda (BUSA), Judith Soko (YASA), Jackline Nkole (Indeni Roses), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

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, Susan Banda (both Red Arrows), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Prisca Chilufya (Fatih Karagumruk A.S-Turkey), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

STRIKERS

Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Regina Chanda (ZANACO Ladies), Hellen Mubanga, Rachael Nachula (both Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes)