The Zambia national team will tomorrow head to Morocco for camping ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Copper Queens will depart for the North African country from Kenneth Kaunda international Airport at 15:00hrs.
The team was treated to a send off dinner by the Ministry of Sports and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) at Southern Sun Hotel.
Skipper Barbra Banda leads the the squad named by coach Bruce Mwape for the tournament. Banda made history at the Olympics when she netted back to back hat-tricks becoming the first female football player to do so at the global showpiece.
The China based forward is expected to lead the attack alongside Turkey based Misozi Zulu and Kazakhstan domiciled Grace Chanda.
Mwape has also included a number of youngsters in his squad led by enterprising midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo. Others are Esther Siamfuko, Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda, Maweta Glory Chilenga and Natasha Nanyangwe.
Next month’s tournament will also act as a qualifier for the Women’s World Cup.
At the tournament the Copper Queens have been placed in Group B alongside Cameroon, Tunisia and Togo.
Bruce Mwape’s lasses are expected to play two friendly matches with Morocco.
The Top four teams at the AWCON which will run from July 3-23 in Morocco will qualify to the World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Two more teams will be involved in play-offs with teams from other continents.
FULL SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS
Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Spor-Turkey), Leticia Lungu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS
Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA Girls)
MIDFIELDERS
Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA)
STRIKERS
Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli), Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Ladies), Grace Chanda (BIIK Kazygurt-Kazakhstan), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Noria Sosala (Indeni Roses), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)
