The Zambia Women’s National Team has arrived in Casablanca ahead of their 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B opener against Cameroon on Sunday 3 July.

The Copper Queens arrived for an international camp in Morocco on 16 June and first set up base in Rabat where they were held to a 1-1 draw by tournament hosts Morocco in a friendly before Bruce Mwape’s side shifted camp to Marrakech.

In the resort city, the Copper Queens beat Phoenix Feminin FC 6-0 in a practice match before losing 5-0 to Uganda at the Grand Stade de Marrakech Annex 1.

Their first match against Cameroon in Africa’s flagship Women’s competition will take place at 19h00CAT at the 45,000-seater Mohammed V stadium. In a late Group B kick-off, Tunisia will host Togo at 22h00.

The Copper Queens will then meet Tunisia on 6 July at 19h00CAT before ending the group stage with a match against debutants Togo on 9 July at 22h00CAT.

The top four teams at the tournament to run from July 2-23 will automatically qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Two more countries will qualify for the inter-continental play-offs for a chance to earn a ticket to the global event to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

FULL-SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Spor-Turkey), Leticia Lungu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)

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

MIDFIELDERS
Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA)

STRIKERS
Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Ladies), Grace Chanda (BIIK Kazygurt-Kazakhstan), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli), Noria Sosala (Indeni Roses), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)

Soka25east.com