Skipper Barbra Banda and Spanish Liga F star forward Rachel Kundananji have been named in the final Zambia squad for the Fifa Women’s World Cup final.
Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape unveiled his final 23-strong squad for the competition with Evarine Susan Katongo, Ireen Lungu, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, Hazel Nali, and Grace Chanda all making the cut alongside Susan Banda, who scored Zambia’s only goal at the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations.
The players who failed to make the cut include former captain Misozi Zulu, Spain-based Rachel Nachula and Mexico-based Prisca Chilufya, Leticia Lungu, Esther Chitete Munsaka, Jackline Nkole, Pauline Zulu, Regina Chanda, and Maylan Mulenga while Esther Siamfuko, Rhoda Chileshe and Comfort Selemani were left out on standby.
Zambia have been in Germany fine-tuning for the tournament and acclimatising to the European weather conditions. The Copper Queens beat Tanzania 1-0 in a sendoff match before losing 3-2 to the Republic of Ireland. They played to a 3-3 draw with Switzerland last Friday and will finish their preparations with a big match against Germany on Friday.
Pooled in Group C, alongside Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica, Zambia will step onto the global stage on July 22, against the formidable team from Japan. Four days later, they will face Spain, followed by a clash with Costa Rica on July 31.
Zambia Squad; GOALKEEPERS; Catherine Musonda (Tomiris-Turan-Kazakhstan), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey).
DEFENDERS; Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, (Both Green Buffaloes), Esther Banda (BUSA), Judith Soko (YASA), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls).
MIDFIELDERS; Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda (both BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Mary Wilombe, Susan Banda (both Red Arrows), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls).
STRIKERS; Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China).
STANDBY; Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), and Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses).