Skipper Evarine Susan Katongo leads the Zambia U-20 Women’s national team 27 member squad for Saturday’s Costa Rica 2022 FIFA World Cup third round, first leg qualifier against Ghana.
Katongo who was voted as the 2021 FAZ Women’s Super League young player of the season was instrumental in the young Copper Queens 8-1 aggregate win over Malawi in the first leg with a goal and three assists.
The prolific Eneless Phiri, Lungowe Namasiku and Agness Phiri are among the strikers that have made the cut ahead of this tricky encounter.
Coach Charles Haalubono’s squad has also been boosted by the return of former Zambia U-17 Women’s national team skipper Esther Siamfuko who missed the first round due to an injury.
Other notable players summoned include the Green Buffaloes duo of Shelly Masumo and Loveness Malunga, BUSA midfielder Tisilile Lungu and Lusaka Dynamos forward, Siomala Mapepa.
Two more rounds are left in the qualifying campaign in which only two teams will go to Costa Rica from Africa.
Meanwhile, Ghana has arrived in the country ahead of Saturday’s match billed for Nkoloma Stadium. The Black Princesses arrived at 14:40 hours aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
Ghana qualified to this round after Mauritania withdrew from participation paving way for the Black Princesses.
FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Lovness Tonge (Prison Leopards Queens), Blessing Kazila (Green Buffaloes), Mirriam Sikaduli (Choma Warriors Queens)
(DEFENDERS)
Sante Mukwata, Esther Siamfuko, ( both Queens Academy), Matha Banda (BUSA), Margaret Chisenga, Judith Soko (both Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Pataaki Queens), Bertha Imponene (Nkwazi Queens)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Eless Chilandula (Luyando Foundation), Shelly Masumo, Loveness Malunga (both Green Buffaloes), Tisilile Lungu (BUSA), Precious Phiri (Queens Academy), Evarine Katongo (ZSID)
(STRIKERS)
Namsiku Lungowe (ZSID), Agness Phiri (Queens Academy), Ruth Ngoma (Green Buffaloes), Siomala Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Ladies), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves Queens)
GHANA
(GOALKEEPERS)
Cynthia Konlan – Pearl Pia Ladies, Grace Banwa – Hasaacas Ladies, Farahana Ziblim – Bagabaga Ladies
(DEFENDERS)
Tedina Sekyere – Dreamz Ladies, Louisa Animwaa – Police Ladies, Susan Ama Duah – Berry Ladies, Ayisha Yakubu – Pearl Pia Ladies, Abena Anoma Opoku – Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Anasthesia Achiaa – Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Zuleiha Fuseini – Pearl Pia Ladies
(MIDFIELDERS)
Evelyn Badu – Hasaacas Ladies, Azuma Bugre – Hasaacas Ladies, Monica Addai – Berry Ladies, Elizabeth Oppong – Lefkhotea, Cyprus
(WINGERS)
Mafia Nyame – Rock Ladies, Grace Animah- Police Ladies, Jafaru Rahama – Hasaacas Ladies, Doris Boaduwaa – Hasaacas Ladies, Suzzy Dede Teye – LadyStrikers, Constance Serwaa Agyemang – Berry Ladies
(STRIKERS)
Mukarama Abdulai – Deportivo Alaves Feminino, Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Salamatu Abdulai – Bagabaga Ladies.
