Zesco Ndola Girls goalkeeper Leticia Lungu has been called up to the Zambia team in place of goalkeeper Hazel Nali who, picked an injury and was withdrawn ahead of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Lungu was part of the 35-member provisional team that was in Germany for an international camp but did not make the final team as Nali, Kazakhstan-based goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and Nkwazi Queens goalkeeper Eunice Sakala made the cut.

Nali’s World Cup journey came to a premature after she was ruled out for at least six weeks while with the team during their training camp in Germany. After a thorough medical examination, it was discovered she had suffered laxity in the Medial Collateral Ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

Read Also: Zambia Goalie, Nali To Miss 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

During a media briefing held on Thursday, Zambia coach Bruce Mwape stated they had set a target to reach the knockout stage. He said: “To reach the knockout stage that’s our priority. We want to get to the knockout stage what comes thereafter will be a bonus,” adding: “We have done a good job, we are prepared to face any team. In our Group, the teams that we are facing all of them have been to the World Cup it’s we who are going there for the first time.”

Zambia will take on Japan on July 22 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton with the second match coming up four days later in Auckland against Spain at Eden Park Stadium. The final group match will be against Costa Rica on July 31 at Waikato Stadium.