Copper Queens head coach Bruce Mwape has named a strong 23 member FIFA Women’s World Cup final squad.
Skipper Barbra Banda and Spanish Liga F star forward Rachel Kundananji lead the squad announced earlier today.
Evarine Susan Katongo, Ireen Lungu, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, Hazel Nali and Grace Chanda have all made the cut.
Susan Banda who scored Zambia’s only goal at the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations has also made the cut.
Former captain Misozi Zulu, Spain based Rachel Nachula and Mexico based Prisca Chilufya have failed to make the cut.
Others who have been dropped include Leticia Lungu, Esther Chitete Munsaka, Jackline Nkole, Pauline Zulu, Regina Chanda and Maylan Mulenga.
Esther Siamfuko, Rhoda Chileshe and Comfort Selemani have been out on standby.
The COSAFA Champions have been in Germany fine tuning for the tournament and acclimatising to the European weather conditions.
The Copper Queens beat Tanzania 1-0 in a send off match before losing 3-2 to the Republic of Ireland.
They played to a 3-3 draw with Switzerland last Friday and will finish their preparations with a big match against Germany on Friday.
Placed in Group C, alongside Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica, Zambia will step onto the global stage on July 22, 2023, against the formidable team from Japan. Four days later, they will face Spain, followed by a clash with Costa Rica on July 31, 2023.
WORLD CUP FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda (Tomiris-Turan-Kazakhstan), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, (Both Green Buffaloes),Esther Banda (BUSA), Judith Soko (YASA), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
MIDFIELDERS
Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda (both BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Mary Wilombe, Susan Banda (both Red Arrows), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
STRIKERS
Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China)
STANDBY
Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes)
Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies)
Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
Balanced team, though we never got to see some of the players like Rachel Nachula! Wish the girls all the best! No selfish play please! Emulate Lionnel Mesi , who always passes the ball to colleagues that are well placed to make the cut, to score!
We don’t chose our origins Mr. Commentator. Over emphasising unnecessary information. We are here out of hard work. Your spirit was disherting. Let’s pull in one direction. No one is making wild predictions at that, to try and look clever before the game. We play for mother Zambia thats all that matters. These short but unbelievably enjoyable careers should surely be rewarded in the event of success. May it be so. Good luck against German🤞
A good team indeed. Let our coach just emphasize on team spirit then we’re able to beat even the strongest teams. Our girls to be confident enough to face any team, more it’s 11 V 11.
The only worry & doubt I have is on the first choice goal keeper who is fond of leaving her line unnecessarily and the timing not all that…..
You know that thing they call ball watching…it happens when there is too much focus on the ball and the feet. It’s better to have view of the whole player and close him out. The eyes gives away alot about what he is planning because when they are in the 18 area and about to shoot you have no option but to sacrifice body if you want victory. You don’t turn fearing a shot, outcome can be embarrassing. We are goid in this area already. You think faster than them as you expel them out of your box. In the box everybody is now on the move looking beautiful or agly in movement…or they score. When we defend we think very quickly about how we attack confident in our players attacks will be potent!!!!
Nachula must joining the squad..
We need misozi Zulu, mwape think we’ll, nachula is good prayer,maid we loose we talk.
But why leaving Misozi Zulu and Racheal Nachula?
Wrong descion on this
This is amazing 🎉 but what about Misozi Zulu Racheal
A good team,am simply wishing you all the best our queens.
KAGWANDA
We are proud of you our queens we wish all the best at your worldcup and we will pray for you and our country.May God bless and protect you good bye…