Zambia Women National Team assistant coach Florence Mwila has named a 34-member provisional squad for the 2024 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship to be held from October 22-November 2 in Gqeberha.
Mwila will lead the Copper Queens squad for the regional assignment and will be assisted by ZISD Women’s coach Enala Simbeye and her ZESCO Ndola Girls counterpart William Zulu.
As part of empowering the womenfolk, COSAFA encourages teams to assign female coaches for women competitions.
The 34-member squad is composed of an all-locally assembled squad with only seven players from the Paris 2024 Olympics squad retained for the 14-team tournament.
Defender Margaret Belemu, who plays for Red Arrows in the Women’s Super League has also been called after missing out on the Paris assignment and will be one of the longest-serving Copper Queens in camp.
The Copper Queens will be seeking to reclaim the title they won in 2022 when they defeated South Africa before Malawi claimed their first title at the Copper Queens expense in Johannesburg in 2023.
34-MEMBER PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Annie Namonje (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Loveness Tonge (Green Eagles), Milika Banda (Trident Queens), Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes), Chimwemwe Mwale (Red Arrows)
DEFENDERS
Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Jackline Chomba (ZISD Women), Thelma Munkombwe (Elite Ladies), Melody Kipimpi, Mable Bwalya (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Diana Banda, Martha Katila Banda, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Esther Muchinga, Tabo Miselo (both ZANACO Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS
Marjory Mulenga, Fridah Mukoma (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Shelly Masumo (Trident Queens), Suwilanji Chibesa (Nkwazi Queens), Mary Mambwe, Bupe Banda (both Red Arrows), Ruth Mukisi, Regina Chanda (ZANACO Ladies), Janet Kazila (ZISD Women), Esther Mushota (Indeni Roses), Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes)
STRIKERS
Natasha Nanyangwe, Agness Phiri, Maylan Mulenga (all Green Buffaloes), Lungowe Namasiku (ZISD Women), Fridah Kabwe, Charity Mubanga (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows)
Cant wait to watch Lungowe in action but most of all we need to see new faces. Introduce new faces. They need exposure & please dont do what the u20 boys did. Useless performances just got lucky coz they had few games to play otherwise useless. They robbed Angola a chance to truly represent COSAFA. VOur boys will exit AFCON after two games