Zambia Women’s national team star forward Barbara Banda may miss the final round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers, The ZamFoot Crew understands.
Banda who is the vice-captain of the Copper Queens recently joined Chinese outfit Shanghai Shengli and is one of the key pieces in coach Bruce Mwape’s puzzle.
According to a ZamFoot Crew source close to the team, the Football Association of Zambia is yet to send a request letter for her release.
“Yes, the letter has not been sent. We hear its something to do with the Coronavirus outbreak in China,” The source told the ZamFoot Crew.
Meanwhile, FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says the Association is keen on bringing Barbara for the encounter but due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus, they are waiting on guidance.
“Us we want her to be part of the team but you know there is an outbreak in China and we have to wait for guidance because there are travel restrictions on certain parts of China, ” Kashala told the ZamFoot Crew.
Zambia will be away to Cameroon on March 5 before hosting the indomitable Lionesses five days later.
The winner over two legs will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be held later this year while the losing team will face Chile in a playoff that will offer a second chance for qualification.
(ZamFoot Crew )
