Prisca Chilufya, Rachel Kundananji return as Mwape names a strong squad for Oranje Lionesses

Strikers Rachel Kundananji, Rachel Nachula and Prisca Chilufya have returned to the Zambia Women’s national team set up following their call up for the upcoming international friendly match against The Netherlands. 

Kundananji missed the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco despite playing the qualifiers while Nachula missed both the delayed 2020 Olympics and the 2022 WAFCON. 

Prisca Chilufya on the other hand last featured for the Copper Queens in 2020 during the COSAFA Women’s Championship. 

Skipper Barbra Banda leads Bruce Mwape’s 32 member squad for the highly anticipated international friendly match. 

Mwape has summoned a mixture of experience and youngsters for the assignment. 

Bertha Imponene, Pauline Zulu, Mary Mambwe and Jessy Zulu are the new additions on the youth side, all graduates of the U-17 and U-20 national teams. 

Midfield magician Evarine Susan Katongo, the female Computer Ireen Lungu, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji,and Grace Chanda have all made the cut.

Others are Turkey based trio of Misozi Zulu, Hazel Nali, Margaret Belemu and Rhoda Chileshe who makes a return to the set up after missing the Olympics and the WAFCON. 

The Copper Queens will face the Orange Lionesses in a friendly on Thursday, October 6 at the NAC Breda stadium in Breda.

Both Zambia and Netherlands will be using the match to prepare for the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July 2023.

The team will enter camp this weekend.

FULL SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS

Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Spor-Turkey), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Mwila Chishala Mufute (Police Doves)

DEFENDERS

Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Margaret Belemu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Bertha Imponene (Police Doves), Vast Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies FC)

MIDFIELDERS

Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Esnard Shuko Mambwe, Mary Wilombe, Mary Mambwe (all Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Prisca Chilufya (FC Tomiris Turan-Kazakhstan), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows

STRIKERS

Rachael Kundananji, Grace Chanda (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies FC), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Jessy Zulu (Pataaki FC), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Rachael Nachula (Zaragoza CFF-Spain)