Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle has urged other players to step up in the absence of Barbra Banda.
The Orlando Pride forward is out injured after suffering a long term injury.
Zambia will face Namibia in October in the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifier.
“Of course you can never substitute Barbara Banda. You don’t find a substitution one-on-one, but for me it is like losers complain and winners, they try to find a solution,” Häuptle said last week
“We have here 41 players, we have called up a lot of strikers, wingers. So it is now time to step in for the next [player],” she said.
Banda watched the team train in Lusaka.
“Actually, it is unfortunate that I keep on missing Namibia’s game. But I know what the girls are coming up to. I am always behind them.
“The encouragement that I’m always giving them, I think, they are so motivated and they are up for the game,” she said.
The October 22 away match to Namibia will be played at Dobsonville Stadium in South Africa, as Namibia currently has no FIFA approved stadium.
Zambia will host Namibia four days later in the final leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The winner over two legs will qualify to the Morocco 2026 CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations which takes place in March and will be a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women World Cup.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Agness Banda (Nchanga Queens), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Ng’ambo Musole, Mufunte Chishala (both Green Buffaloes), Hazel Nali, Annie Namoonje (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
(DEFENDERS)
Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Josephine Lubinda (Choma Warriors), Blessings Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Esther Muchinga, Judith Soko (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Matildah Mukunda (Elite Ladies), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Esther Siamfuko, Memory Nthala, Margaret Gondwe (all Green Buffaloes), Justina Zulu, Pauline Zulu (both Zanaco Ladies),
(MIDFIELDERS)
Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo, Hellen Chanda, Maweta Chilenga, Natasha Nanyangwe (all Green Buffaloes), Mary Mambwe, Mary Wilombe (both Red Arrows), Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades Queens),
(ATTACKERS)
Chabwe Ngosa (Indeni Roses), Mercy Chipasula, Mwangala Namakau (both Kamfinsa Police), Penelope Mulubwa, Fridah Kabwe, Mary Mbewe (all Zesco Ndola Girls), Medrine Lukhelo (Trident Queens), Eneles Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Rachael Moono (Green Eagles), Maylan Mulenga, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Ruth Ngoma (Zanaco Ladies),
