Zambia Women’s national team head coach Bruce Mwape has named a 32 member Provincial squad for the 2021 Turkish Women’s Cup.
Skipper Barbara Banda leads the squad accessed by the ZamFoot Crew, with the likes of Spanish based duo of strikers Hellen Mubanga and Rachel Nachula also cutting.
Kazakhstan based Rachel Kundananji has made a return to Bruce Mwape’s team. Rhoda Chileshe who struggled with injury since march has also finally made a return to the Copper Queens set up.
Mwape has also included Zambia U-17 Women’s national team trio of defenders Esther Siamfuko and Judith Soko together with midfielder Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda.
Surprisingly, in-form talented Luyando Foundation midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo has been left out of the squad. Other notable absentees from the team are Margaret Belemu, Irene ‘Xavi’ Lungu, and Hazel Nali.
Midfield ace Mary Mwakapila is also not part of the squad. The ZamFoot Crew understands that the Israeli based is nursing an injury with the technical bench hoping she can recover in time for the tournament.
The team entered camp on Sunday afternoon in Lusaka.
The fifth edition of the Turkish invitational tournament will be held from February 15th to 24th. The Copper Queens will be gearing up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
Nigeria, Zambia, and Equatorial Guinea along with Uzbekistan are zoned in the same group for this year’s event.
ZAMBIA FULL SQUAD
1. Musole Ngambo – [Zesco United]
2. Catherine Musonda- [Indeni Roses]
3. Muchahabali Ingutu – [YASA]
4. Tricia Mutale – [Kitwe Girls FC]
5. Anita Mulenga – [Green Bufalloes]
6. Martha Tembo [Green Bufalloes]
7. Lushomo Mweemba [Green Bufalloes]
8. Esther Siamfuko [Queens Academy]
9. Mary Mulenga [Red Arrows]
10. Judith Soko [Unattached]
11. Imponene Bertha- [Green Bufalloes]
12. Doreen Mwaseba [Red Arrows]
13. Chileshe Rhoda [Indeni Roses]
14. Esther Banda – [BUSA]
15. Mary Wilombe [Red Arrows]
16. Agnes Musesa [Green Bufalloes]
17. Changwe Trynes [Green Eagles]
18. Chewe Theresa [Green Bufalloes]
19. Chitundu Avell [Zesco Ndola]
20. Grace Chanda [Red Arrows]
21. Misozi Zulu [Indeni Roses]
22. Judith Zulu [Green Bufalloes]
23. Mapepe Xiomala [Lusaka Dynamos]
24. Mary Nanyiza [Lusaka Dynamos]
25. Naomi Phiri [Lusaka Dynamos]
26. Maylan Mulenga [Green Bufalloes]
27. Oseke Ochumba [Red Arrows]
28. Aisha Gama [Chipata Queens]
29. Barbra Banda [Shanghai]
30. Racheal Kundananji [BIIK Kazygurt]
31. Hellen Mubanga [Zaragoza]
32. Rachael Nachula [Zaragoza]
This Bruce Mwape has this tendency of omitting in form players without giving any reason. Who the hell does he think he is?! Across the world coaches give plausible reasons for changes in the team setup. If Katongo is inform currently why leave her out without any clarification?! These Zambian coaches they play “God” the moment average success goes to their heads. Come on Faz yank some explanation out of this chap. The public has a right to know.
She is young and still have time to develop. However, like I commented on the Facebook page, Everine needs to move to a bigger club to develop her tactical game. She will stagnate and at Luyando and lesser players will end up being there in the national team ahead of her because they are getting stronger and faster in games. Her development is stunted by playing against younger opponents and playing with younger teammates.