The Copper Queens will be without skipper Barbra Banda for the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to a statement by FAZ Communications manager Sydney Mungala availed to the ZamFoot Crew, the China based forward has been knocked out on medical reasons.
Banda joins Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Siomala Mapepa who will miss the opening match due to accumulation of yellow cards.
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released final squad lists for the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the tournament that kicks off tomorrow (Saturday).
FAZ wishes to provide a squad update for the Copper Queens that open their account on Sunday in a Group B match against the indomitable lionesses of Cameroon.
Zambia will be without Ochumba Oseke and Siomala Mapepa for the opening match due to suspension while skipper Barbra Banda will be unavailable for medical reasons.
Oseke and Mapepa will miss out due to accumulated cards during the qualification process.”
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says everything is okay with the team outside the three missing players.
“Outside the three players, everything else is fine with the team looking forward to the opening match against Cameroon on Sunday. We urge the public to fully support the team as it lifts our national flag high.”
The Copper Queens start their campaign against Cameroon at the Mohammed V stadium on July 3 before facing North Africans Tunisia three days later. They will wrap up their Group B engagement with a tie against debutants Togo on 9 July.
The semi-finalists from this tournament will automatically earn their tickets to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand while the two quarter-finalists will have to battle it out in the inter-continental play-offs for a spot in the world’s biggest showpiece.
FINAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey), Leticia Lungu (Zesco Girls)
(DEFENDERS)
Judith Soko, Lushomo Mweemba, Anita Mulenga, Agness Musase, Martha Tembo (All Green Buffaloes), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Evarine Katongo (ZISD), Ireen Lungu, Natasha Nanyangwe (both Green Buffaloes), Esther Banda, Maweta Chilenga (both BUSA), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Girls)
(STRIKERS)
Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Biik Shyyehp-Kazakhstan), Siomala Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos), Noria Sosala (Indeni)
