The Zambia Women’s National team has intensified their preparations for the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Coach Bruce Mwape and his Assistants, Florence Mwila, Charity Nthala and goalkeeper coach Yona Phiri took the players through their paces in a vigorous training session at Nkoloma Stadium this morning.
Green Buffaloes contingent of Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo, Ireen Lungu and Natasha Nanyangwe who were the last to enter camp were also part of the squad that trained at Nkoloma.
Turkey based Misozi Zulu, China based Margaret Belemu and Nigeria based Natasha Witika also took part in the session
Ireen Lungu the female Computer, Natasha Nanyangwe, Avell Chitundu and Susan Katongo looked sharp in training. Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo and Margaret Belemu were composed as usual.
Coach Bruce Mwape is expected to name his final squad in the next 48 hours.
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.
Riding on the success in Morocco where the team minted bronze after beating Nigeria in a tightly contested third and fourth play off, The Copper Queens are among the favorites to lift the trophy.
Youngsters Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Evarine Susan Katongo ,Maweta Chilenga, Esther Siamfuko, Natasha Nanyangwe among others are expected to make up the core of the team.
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)
