The Zambia women’s national football team has left for South Africa to participate in the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025.
The Copper Queens departed Kenneth Kaunda International Airport aboard a chartered flight at exactly 09:30 hours.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has chartered a plane for the team bound for Polokwane.
Coach Nora Häuptle has named her 23-member final squad for the COSAFA Women’s Championship, which kicks off tomorrow, February 18, and runs until March 1, 2026.
Zambia, who are the defending champions, have been drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Eswatini in the 2026 COSAFA Senior Women’s Championship.
Häuptle will use the COSAFA Championship as part of the buildup to the Morocco 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia will play their first match on Thursday, February 19, against Botswana at 15:00 at Seshego Stadium before facing Zimbabwe three days later.
The Copper Queens’ final Group B match will be against Eswatini on February 24 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The top teams in each pool, along with the best runner-up, will advance to the semi-finals.
Zambia were crowned champions in 2022 and 2024 and finished as runners-up in 2023.
Here’s the full team that is traveling to South Africa:
GOALKEEPERS
Mufunte Chishala (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Agness Musesa, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Maluba Blessings (Nchanga Queens), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls)
MIDFIELDERS
Susan Banda (Cekmekoy BilgiDoga Spor – Turkey), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Sampa Chisanga, Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades)
STRIKERS
Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Maweta Chilenga, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police), Kabanghe Mupopo (Henan WFC – China), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
By FaAZ Media
