The Zambia Women’s National Team on Tuesday held their first training session at the Oval stadium in Gqeberha ahead of their first game of the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
The Copper Queens will open their Group B campaign with a tricky tie against Namibia on Thursday.
Bruce Mwape’s lasses are aiming for their first regional showpiece title after coming close in 2019 losing to South Africa in the final.
Evarine Susan Katongo, Ireen Lungu, Xiomala Mapepa, and Avell Chitundu impressed in training, the ZamFoot Crew sources in Port Elizabeth have revealed.
The team is in good health and shape with only Nigeria-based Natasha Witika looking to have been struggling with what is believed to be a small knock.
The 10th edition of the regional showpiece will kick off this afternoon and will run until September 11th.
The Queens first match in Group B will be against Namibia on September 1st at 15h30 at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, with their second match coming up against Lesotho three days later while their last group match against Eswatini is set for 6 September.
The tournament has three groups and only the top team in each group and the best-placed runner-up among the three pools will qualify to the semifinals.
FULL-SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:
Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Agness Banda (National Assembly), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS:
Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), 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), Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey)
STRIKERS:
Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC)
