Copper Queens Coach Nora Häuptle has named a 25-member provisional squad to face Namibia in back-to-back Morocco 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Surprisingly Avell Chitundu who has been one of the best performers in the Eden University Women’s Super league misses out.
The ZESCO Ndola Girls skipper is the leading goalscorer this season with eight goals, has scored in her last four consecutive matches and only failed to score in one game this season.
Susan Banda has returned to the Copper Queens set up for the first time since April last year when she sustained an injury during a league match.
Reigning CAF Women’s Footballer of the year Barbra Banda is also out due to her hip injury which has seen her miss majority of Orlando Prides’ matches in the National Women’s Super League.
ZESCO Ndola Girls’ Eneless Phiri has made the cut alongside Penelope Mulubwa, Regina Chanda, Ngosa Chabwe, Memory Nthala, and Pauline Zulu.
Others are goalkeeper Hazel Nali, Natasha ‘Little Tasha’ Nanyangwe and the amazing Evarine Susan Katongo.
Zambia will be away to Namibia on October 22 in South Africa at the Dobsonville Stadium before hosting the Brave Gladiators on October 26 in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The two sides will square off in a back-to-back duel with the winner booking a ticket to the WAFCON.
Top four teams at the WAFCON will qualify to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The local stars will enter camp on Thursday with the foreign-based players expected after their weekend matches for their respective clubs.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
(DEFENDERS)
Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Rangers), Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingtan FC-China), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (both Hakkaigucu Spor-Turkey), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Zanaco Ladies)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Susan Banda, Mary Wilombe (both Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride-USA), Evarine Katongo, Maweta Chilenga, Natasha Nanyangwe (all Green Buffaloes), Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China),
(STRIKERS)
Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City FC-USA), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco United), Kabange Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Eneles Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
