Copper Queens and Green Buffaloes defender Lushomo Mweemba and the Red Arrows pair of Grace Chanda and Margaret Belemu have made the final-shortlist for the 2021 Best Player of the Season Award in the Women’s Football Awards Gala set for Friday.

Mweemba was solid at the back for the Green Buffaloes Women’s team helping them to their maiden FAZ Women’s Super League title with three games to spare. The central defender’s great showing has earned her another nomination for the Best Defender of the Season, but will have to negotiate her way past defensive partner Agness Musesa and ZESCO Ndola Girls defender Vast Phiri.

Since making a switch from ZESCO to Red Arrows, Chanda alias Dangote, has been instrumental for the Air Ladies, scoring 35 goals to lead the Top Scorers chart in the 2021 FAZ Women’s Super League.

Belemu is also a deserved nominee – after helping the Copper Queens to bronze medal finish at the 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship, the soft-spoken right-back has steered her side to second place ahead of ZESCO Ndola Girls in the inaugural women’s league.

Young Tokyo 2020 Olympic debutants Evarine Susan Katongo of ZISD and Esther Siamfuko of Queens Academy have been shortlisted for the Young Player of the Season Award, alongside Under-20 Women’s National Team striker Eneless Phiri, who turns up for Police Doves in the league.

The Midfielder of the Season has Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Elizabeth Mupeso (Lusaka Dynamos Ladies) and Green Buffaloes skipper Joana Benaya fighting for the top gong.

The Most Disciplined Player of the Season will be chosen from Red Arrows striker Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Indeni Roses striker Noria Sosala and Wilombe, who has been shortlisted for two awards.

FAZ Women’s Super League winning Green Buffaloes coach Charles Haalubono has been shortlisted for the Best Coach of the Season Award alongside Grace Mwango of Lusaka Dynamos and William Zulu of ZESCO Ndola Girls.

Players plying their trade in the Provincial Leagues will also be awarded, and the winners will be announced on Friday at the Awards Gala to be held at the Arakan Banquet Hall in Lusaka.

Soka25east.com