The Zambia Women’s National team head coach Bruce Mwape is expected to name his final 22 member squad for the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship in the next 48 hours the ZamFoot Crew understands.
Mwape and his Assistants, Florence Mwila, Charity Nthala and goalkeeper coach Yona Phiri having been taking the players through their paces in the last few days as they shape up for the tournament.
The ZamFoot Crew understands that Green Buffaloes defender Anita Mulenga is a doubt for the tournament following an injury she suffered during the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers in South Africa two weeks ago.
Evarine Susan Katongo, Misozi Zulu, Avell Chitundu, Margaret Belemu, Agness Musesa, Catherine Musonda, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo, Ireen Lungu and Natasha Nanyangwe are expected to headline Mwape’s squad.
The 2019 runners up were drawn in Group B alongside Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho.
Group A comprises South Africa, Angola, Mauritius and Mozambique while Botswana , Malawi, Comoros and guest nation Tanzania who were crowned 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championships winners after a 1-0 victory over Malawi in the final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium make up group C.
Should Zambia top group A they will face the winners of group C in the semifinal tie.
The 10th edition of the regional showpiece will be hosted in South Africa from August 31-September 11.
The Copper Queens will begin their campaign against Namibia on 1 September at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha before the penultimate group match against Lesotho on 4 September before wrapping up their Group engagement against Eswatini two days later.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:
Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Letisha Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Agness Banda (National Assembly), Mary Nanyinza, Catherine Musonda (both Indeni Roses), Chitete Munsaka (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC)
DEFENDERS:
Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Bertha Imponene (Nkwazi Queens), Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), Pauline Zulu (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China),
MIDFIELDERS:
Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Natasha Witika (Bayelsa Queens-Nigeria), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Norin Betani (Indeni Roses), Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey)
STRIKERS:
Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Elizabeth Mwale (ZISD Women), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Jessy Zulu (Pataaki), Noria Sosala (Indeni Roses), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Lillian Mwaba (Queens Academy)
The manipulation is this.
South Africa is always in Group 1. Winners of this group always face the best losers or the best runners up while the winners in Group 2 will always play the winners in Group 3. Meaning South Africa which starts the games rolling and has an extra day to rest before the semi finals will always play a not so good team. Hence they are always assured of progression. Meanwhile the other 2 table toppers in their respective groups face each other.
They are both the best in their groups and have a day less to rest before the finals.
Who would be likely to win such a tournament?
I agree with you,there is always a manipulation that favours South Africa.Most of the times,it’s always Zambia that plays the guest nation in the semifinals .They always seem to give South Africa an easy passage to the final .