The Zambia Women’s National Team will be without the US based quartet of Skipper Barbra Banda, Rachel Kundananji, Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya at the YongChuan International Tournament, Football House has confirmed.
According to a statement by FAZ Media and Public Relations officer Sydney Mungala made available to the ZamFoot Crew, The foursome will miss the tournament due to new travel restrictions put in place by Donald Trump administration.
FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says the Association while acting on the advice of key offices among them the United States of America Zambian mission in Washington and the two clubs for the players concluded that the best decision was to withdraw the players from the China assignment.
Kamanga went on to reveal that the technical bench had already roped in replacements to ensure that the team remains competitive.
BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT;US BASED COPPER QUEENS TO MISS CHINA GAMES
Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
2nd April 2025
FAZ CONFIRMS US BASED QUARTET’S ABSENCE FROM CHINA GAMES
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that the United States of America based quartet of the Zambia Women National Team will not be traveling to China for the Yangchuan International Tournament.
FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga says the four players namely captain Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda will not be available owing to additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the United States of America.
Kamanga says acting on the advice of key offices among them the United States of America Zambian mission in Washington and the two clubs for the players; the best decision was to withdraw the players from the China assignment.
“I wish to confirm that the Orlando Pride trio of Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya as well as Rachael Kundananji of Bay FC will not be available for the two international friendly matches in China. After working through the process instigated by recently introduced measures it was decided that it is in the best interest of our players to skip this assignment,” he says.
“They will definitely be available for future assignments as they were for the last window when we played Malawi. The technical bench has since roped in replacements to ensure that the team remains competitive.”
He adds, “It is our desire to give all our teams participating in international competitions the best preparations. The bigger picture is to ensure that the Copper Queens are ready for the WAFCON in July just like we have done for the under-17 boys currently in Morocco for the AFCON.”
The Copper Queens will kick off their campaign at the 2025 Yangchuan International Tournament in China on April 5 against Thailand.
A win will secure them a spot in the final on April 8 against either hosts China PR or Uzbekistan.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
I love you guyz