Zambia national team Copper Queens Assistant Coach Charles Haalubono has unveiled the 26-member WAFCON squad ahead of the team’s departure for Algeria tomorrow (Tuesday).
Haalubono rolled out the squad on behalf of Head Coach Nora Häuptle who will link up with the team in Algeria for the pre-WAFCON camp.
During a media briefing at Football House, Haalubono said the team would leave for Algeria on Tuesday for a weeklong camp preceding the WAFCON. Haalubono says the team will play two international friendly matches against The Fennecs on July 19 and 21 before jetting into Morocco.
Foreign based players whose leagues are still active will fly straight to Algeria where they will link up with the rest of the squad. He urged the fans to support the team in their quest to win their debut WAFCON title.
Haalubono heaped praise on KCM for their sponsorship of the Copper Queens. Zambia in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi.
The Copper Queens will open their account on 28 July against Egypt before facing Nigeria 1 August and conclude with a tussle with the Scorchers of Malawi four days later.
Top four teams at the WAFCON will qualify to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS); Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls).
(DEFENDERS); Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula (both Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club-Saudi Arabia), Saliya Mwanza, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey).
(MIDFIELDERS); Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Queretaro-Mexico), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames-Saudi Arabia), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo (Ra’anana Women’s FC-Israel), Ireen Lungu (Sichua-China).
(STRIKERS); Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City-USA), Mercy Chipasula, Eneless Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan-China), Kabange Mupopo (Liaoning Shenbel Hefeng-China), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Quanzhou Naan-China).
