Zambia will start their 2024 COSAFA Under-20 Women’s Championship with a lunchtime kickoff as they square off with Lesotho.
This is the second edition of the U20 Women’s Championship tournament which kicks off today and will run up to November 24th.
Coach Charles Haalubono has a blend of players from the U17 Women’s World Cup and U17 graduates from the last two years.
In goal, Elite Ladies goalkeeper Esther Chitete Munsaka will fight off competition from Mwila Mufunte who was fantastic for the U17 during qualification and at the World Cup.
In defence, Margaret Gondwe of Luyando Foundation Girls, Jessy Zulu, Theresa Musatila and Saliya Mwanza are expected to make up the back four.
The versatile Eunice Bwalya is also available for selection.
In midfield, Mapalo Maluba and Blessings Zangose Zulu will be looking to fight for a place in the starting XI with Bupe Banda, Mary Mukupa and Lubasi Pumulo all available for selection.
Upfront, Mary Mbewe, Lydia Shamalima and Bwalya Namute Chileshe are the favourites to start.
Haalubono could however start with ZISD forward Elizabeth Mwale with Edith Phiri, Ruth Muwowo, Gift Kalwizhi, Jacqueline Nambeye all available for selection.
Five teams are taking part in this year’s edition namely: South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and Lesotho.
The Format of the tournament will see the teams face off in a round-robin format with three points for a win and one for a draw. The team with the most points after their four games will be declared the winner.
