The Zambia Women’s national team, Copper Queens has landed in Japan at the Narita Airport, Tokyo ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympics.
Africa’s sole representatives jetted off on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ahead of the tournament that kicks off on July 21 with Zambia taking on the Netherlands in Group F.
The Copper Queens is the only Women’s team from Africa that will be part of the 12 team tournament at the biggest sports fiesta in the World.
The team is led by skipper Barbra Banda, striker Grace Chanda, defender Lushomo Mweemba among others. Youngster Evarine Susan Katongo, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, and Esther Siamfuko will also be looking to make their mark at the tournament and announce their arrival on the global stage.
The second match will see the Coach Bruce Mwape drilled lasses taking on China PR on 24th July in an early kick-off at 10:00hrs with both matches slated for Miyagi Stadium.
The African Queens will then wrap up their group match against the much-fancied Brazil on 27th July 2021 at Saitama Stadium with a lunchtime kick-off at 13:30hrs.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
Hazel Nali (Hapoel Beer’Sheva), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Ng’ambo Musole (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
Defenders:
Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo, Anita Mulenga, Agness Musesa ( All Green Buffaloes ), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Khosa (Red Arrows ), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy)
Midfielders:
Mary Wilombe, Hellen Chanda (Red Arrows), Esther Namukwasa (Indeni Roses), Irene Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Evelyn Susan Katongo (Luyando Foundation), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
Strikers :
Hellen Mubanga, (Zaragoza CFF- Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China ), Grace Chanda, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Both Red Arrows), Rachel Kundananji (BIIk Kazyugurt- Kazakhstan)
