By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA National womens team head gaffer Bruce Mwape has finally unveiled the final 23 member FIFA Women’s World Cup squad.
The Copper Queens will compete in Group C at the World Cup which will run from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Skipper Barbra Banda and Spanish Liga F star forward Rachel Kundananji will lead the Copper Queens squad that will face Spain, Japan and Costa Rica in Group C.
Mwape has named Lushomo Mweemba, Margret Belemu, Martha Tembo, Evarine Susan Katongo, Ireen Lungu, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, Hazel Nali and Grace Chanda in the final squad.
Hellen Chanda, Hellen Mubanga, and the fans favorite Avail Chitundu join Red Arrows midfielder, Susan Banda who scored Zambia’s only goal at the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations who has also been included in the squad which will be without former captain Misozi Zulu who is among those dropped.
Bruce Mwape also droped Spain based Rachel Nachula and Mexico based Prisca Chilufya, Leticia Lungu, Esther Chitete Munsaka, Jackline Nkole, Pauline Zulu, Regina Chanda and and the Green Buffaloes top striker, Maylan Mulenga.
Indeni Roses, Rhoda Chileshe, Esther Siamfukoand Comfort Selemani have been placed on standby.
After a series of friendly games in Europe where they faced Ireland and Switzerland, the Copper Queens will conclude their world cup preps with a tie against Germany on Friday.
At the World Cup, the Copper Queens will kick off their campaign on July 22, 2023, against the formidable team from Japan before facing Spain four days later.
Zambia will then conclude their group games with a game against Costa Rica on July 31, 2023.
WORLD CUP FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda (Tomiris-Turan-Kazakhstan), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, (Both Green Buffaloes),Esther Banda (BUSA), Judith Soko (YASA), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
MIDFIELDERS
Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda (both BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Mary Wilombe, Susan Banda (both Red Arrows), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
STRIKERS
Xiomara Mapepa (Elite Ladies), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF-Spain), Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji (both Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China)
STANDBY
Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes)
Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies)
Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
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