Zambia senior women’s team are aiming to get the year 2022 off to a fine start when they take on South Africa in an international friendly at Nkoloma stadium, Lusaka on 12 February.
The high-profile all-COSAFA test match comes up for the Zambians in preparation for the final qualifying round tie with Namibia four days later in a bid for a place at the TotalEnergies Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022.
On the other hand, Desiree Ellis’ team are in the Zambian capital as they gear up for the AWCON qualifying fixture with Algeria this month.
Coach Bruce Mwape had earlier announced a roster for the meeting with the Brave Gladiators of Namibia. While Turkey-based midfielder Mizozi Zulu makes a return, Eibar’s Racheal Kundunanji, Zaragoza duo Hellen Mubanga and Racheal Nachula will be major absentees.
Last April, Banyana Banyana hosted the Copper Queens in an international friendly, winning 3-1 at Bidvest Stadium. This time, the Zambians will be hoping to get revenge on home ground but coach Mwape is not harbouring such thoughts.
“Although it’s a friendly game we expect our girls to do better and we want to give chance to some of the players that have not played full games like our strikers such as Ochumba Oseke,” said Mwape.
“We also want to see the junior players and how they can play. They have settled well and they have been with the team on several occasions so they will try to show that they can be part of the first eleven.”
Zambia will welcome the Namibians at the same venue on 16 February 2022, before travelling to Windhoek for the second leg with their COSAFA rivals on 23 February 2022.
ZAMBIA SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Hazel Nali (Unattached), Ng’ambo Musole (Zesco Ndola Girls), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Aisha Mbwana (Green Buffaloes)
DEFENDERS: Fridah Nalwamba (Police Doves), Margaret Belemu, (Red Arrows), Judith Soko (YASA Queens), Patricia Lampi, Martha Tembo, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba (all Green Buffaloes), Margaret Mulenga (Lusaka Dynamos), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy)
MIDFIELDERS: Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spor FC -Turkey), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Elizabeth Mupeso, Thandiwe Nkhata, Naomi Phiri (Lusaka Dynamos), Esther Banda (BUSA), Mary Wilombe, Milika Limwanya (both Red Arrows), Marjory Mulenga (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Susan Katongo (Luyando Girls Foundation)
STRIKERS: Lungowe Namasiku (ZISD), Barbra Banda (Shanghai shengli), Grace Chanda, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (both Red Arrows), Xiomala Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Theresa Chewe, Maylan Mulenga (both Green Buffaloes)
Source: CAF
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
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