Grace Chanda returns as Mwape names 34 for Morocco matches 

Vice captain Grace Chanda has returned to the Copper Queens squad for the first time in nine months. 

Chanda is part of the Zambia Women’s National Team 34-member squad summoned for next month’s back-to-back 2024 Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier matches against the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

Chanda was ruled out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s due to illness together with goalkeeper Hazel Nali who suffered an ACL injury. 

This will be the first time the former Red Arrows striker will be training with the Copper Queens having last featured in the 3-3 draw with Switzerland on 30 June, 2023.

INDENI Roses’ Rhoda Chileshe, who missed the Angola and Ghana assignments is also back and so is ZESCO Ndola Girls striker Charity Mubanga together with her teammate Vast Phiri. 

New call-ups include ZANACO Ladies defender Bernadette Mubanga and U17 midfielder Mapalo Maluba.

 Israel-based goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and Hakkarigucu Spur (Turkey) midfielder Hellen Chanda miss out due to injury.

The team will start the camp on Sunday, 24 March 2024 after the FAZ Women’s Super League weekend fixtures.

The Copper Queens will host the Atlas Lionesses at 19h00 on Friday, 5 April 2024 before travelling for the away match on 9 April. The overall winner over two legs will book one of the two available spots for African nations at the Olympics.

The other slot will come from the Nigeria versus South Africa clash to complete Africa’s two representatives at the global event.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Annie Namonje (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes), Eunice Sakala (INDENI Roses), Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies), 

DEFENDERS

Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Esther Siamfuko, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Banda (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (YASA), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Bernadette Mubanga, Thelma Chella (both ZANACO Ladies)

MIDFIELDERS

Grace Chanda (Madrid CFF), Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Ireen Lungu (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Rhodah Chileshe (INDENI Roses), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), Salome Phiri (Green Buffaloes), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Ruth Mukisi, Esther Muchinga (both ZANACO Ladies), Mapalo Maluba (Marvellous Girls FC), Prisca Chilufya (Club Juarez Femenil-Mexico), 

STRIKERS

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Eneless Phiri (Nkwazi Queens), Kabange Mupopo, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Charity Mubanga, Fridah Kabwe (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Namasiku Lungowe (ZISD Women), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel)