Zambia Women’s National team head coach Bruce Mwape has named a strong 23 member squad for the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Skipper Barbra Banda headlines the squad summoned by Mwape ahead of the 10th edition of the COSAFA Women’s tournament.
The China based striker makes a return to the regional showpiece after missing the 2021 edition.
Midfield magician Ireen Lungu and youngster Evarine Susan Katongo have also been named in the squad alongside Xiomala Mapepa who recently attend trials in Sweden, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Avell Chitundu, Mary Wilombe, and Misozi Zulu.
Mwape has also named goalkeepers Agness Fabiola Banda, Eunice Sakala and young forward Enelesi Phiri who will be making their first appearance at the COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Zambia will begin their campaign against Namibia on 1 September before entertaining Lesotho three days later. The Copper Queens will wrap-up their Group B matches with a fixture against Eswatini on 6 September.
The tournament has three groups and only the top team in each group and the best-placed runner-up among the three pools will qualify to the semifinals.
FULL-SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:
Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Agness Banda (National Assembly), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS:
Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China)
MIDFIELDERS:
Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Natasha Witika (Bayelsa Queens-Nigeria), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey)
STRIKERS:
Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC)
