Zambia forward Rachel Kundananji has been named among the substitutes for the Copper Queens’ decisive second-leg clash against Uganda in the CAF qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Interim coach Charles Haalubono has opted to start ZESCO Ndola Girls winger Enelesi Phiri ahead of the Chicago Stars forward as Zambia seek to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Kundananji is among five players who have dropped to the bench following Zambia’s defeat in Kampala, alongside Esther Muchinga, Avell Chitundu, Rachel Nachula and Pauline Zulu.
Evarine Susan Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe, Margaret Gondwe and Martha Tembo have been handed starting roles as Haalubono reshuffles his side for the crucial encounter.
The Copper Queens must win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games alive, having suffered a narrow defeat to the Crested Cranes at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in Kampala last Thursday.
Zambia took an early lead through Prisca Chilufya but Uganda fought back, with Agness Nabukenya equalising through a superb free-kick before Sylvia Kabene scored in the second half to secure victory for the hosts.
The result leaves Zambia needing a strong performance on home soil to overturn the deficit and advance to the next stage of the qualifying campaign.
Kick-off at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is scheduled for 18:00 CAT, with the match set to be broadcast live on ZNBC TV3 via Topstar.
