Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi has promoted Green Buffaloes Women Football Club players who were part of the Copper Queens bronze medal winning squad at the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Goalkeeper Hazel Nali, defenders Anita Mulenga, Agness Musesa and striker Barbara Banda have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant while midfielder Ireen Lungu is now a Corporal.

Defenders Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba are now Lance Corporal with striker Natasha Nanyangwe coming in as private.

Speaking at Army Headquarters in Lusaka when he met the players, Lt Gen Alibuzwi commended the players for the splendid performance displayed at the tournament and urged them not to relent as they prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Lt Gen Alibuzwi assured the players of Command’s support during the 2022 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Champions League that kicks-off in South Africa this Sunday, where Buffaloes are in Group B alongside Young Buffaloes of Eswatini and Olympic de Moroni from Comoros.

Striker Barbara Banda thanked the Army Commander for recognising the players’ hard work before thanking her teammates for qualifying to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and minting bronze at the WAFCON.

Meanwhile, Green Buffaloes coach Charles Haalubono has named a 20-member squad for the 2022 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Champions League that kicks-off in South Africa this Sunday.

Haalubono has included six Copper Queens players from the 2022 WAFCON bronze-medal winning side as he leads the Zambian champions to their second regional competition having reached the semifinals last year when they lost to eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Defenders Martha Tembo, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba and Anita Mulenga have all made it on the roster together with midfielder Ireen Lungu and striker Natasha Nanyangwe.

With their sights fully set on qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, the Zambia Army sponsored side have been drawn in Group B alongside Young Buffaloes of Eswatini and Olympic de Moroni from Comoros.

They begin the campaign on 7 August against Young Buffaloes at 15h30 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban.

Only the top team in each pool advances to the final, while the second-placed sides will contest the third-fourth play-off.

FULL SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Blessing Kazila, Aisha Gama, Aisha Mbwana

DEFENDERS: Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga, Patricia Lampi, Diana Banda, Memory Nthala

MIDFIELDERS: Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda, Judith Zulu, Regina Kayamboma, Joana Benai, Loveness Malunga

STRIKERS: Maylan Mulenga, Lucy Kajiya, Theresa Chewe, Natasha Nanyangwe