Zambia Women’s National Team skipper Barbara Banda will lead the Copper Queens squad for the 2022 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship that runs from August 31-11 September in South Africa.

The influential captain will lead the 2022 WAFCON Bronze medallists’ frontline alongside Lusaka Dynamos Women FC striker Xiomara Mapepa, Red Arrows striker Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Police Doves attacker Eneless Phiri.

Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape has also included National Assembly goalkeeper Agness Banda in his 23-member squad that also has Zesco Ndola Girls defender Vast Phiri who returns to the national team after missing the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Goalkeeper Hazel Nali and striker Grace Chanda have club engagements in Turkey and Kazakhstan respectively.

Zambia will begin their campaign against Namibia on 1 September before entertaining Lesotho three days later. The Copper Queens will wrap-up their Group B matches with a fixture against Eswatini on 6 September.

The tournament has three groups and only the top team in each group and the best-placed runner-up among the three pools will qualify to the semifinals.

FULL-SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Agness Banda (National Assembly), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)

DEFENDERS:

Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China)

MIDFIELDERS:

Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Natasha Witika (Bayelsa Queens-Nigeria), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey)

STRIKERS:

Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC)

Soka25east.com