Defender Margaret Belemu and midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo headline the 23 member Zambia Women’s National Team final squad for the 2024 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Copper Queens assistant coach Florence Mwila has unveiled her final 23-member squad for next week’s tournament set to take place from October 22-November 2 in Gqeberha.
Both Belemu and Katongo missed the Olympics. Katongo was ruled out due to injury while Belemu struggled with fitness after undergoing military training.
Mwila, who will head the South Africa-bound technical bench has selected an all-local squad from the women’s super league that will aim to reclaim the title they won in 2022 and lost to Malawi last year in the finals.
Mwila will be assisted by ZISD Women coach Enala Simbeye Phiri and William Zulu of ZESCO Ndola Girls.
Red Arrows young midfielder Bupe Banda has made the final squad alongside ZISD forward Lungowe Namasiku, Charity Mubanga of ZESCO Ndola Girls and Fridah Mukoma.
ZANACO Ladies captain Ruth Mukusi has also made the Squad alongside ZESCO Ndola Girls goalkeeper Annie Namonje.
The 2022 Champions will kick off their campaign on Thursday, October 24 when they take on Angola in Group C at 12h00.
The Copper Queens will entertain Comoros five days later in Group C matches.
There are 14 teams at this year’s tournament spread across four groups and only group winners will advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
There will be two venues used in Gqeberha, including the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium which was built ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and remains among the best stadia in Africa.
23-FINAL MEMBER SQUAD
Annie Namonje (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes), Chimwemwe Mwale (Red Arrows)
DEFENDERS
Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Jackline Chomba (ZISD Women), Melody Kipimpi (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Diana Banda, Martha Katila Banda (both Green Buffaloes), Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Esther Muchinga, Tabo Miselo (both ZANACO Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS
Marjory Mulenga, Fridah Mukoma (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Mary Mambwe, Bupe Banda (both Red Arrows), Ruth Mukisi, Regina Chanda (ZANACO Ladies), Esther Mushota (Indeni Roses), Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes)
STRIKERS
Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Lungowe Namasiku (ZISD Women), Charity Mubanga (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows).
Congratulations guys work hard next much atleast we go to next stage