Copper Queens camp in SA for Tokyo qualifier
THE striking trio of Grace Chanda, Barbara Banda and Misozi Zulu lead the 20-member final Copper Queens team seeking an historical qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Zambia face Cameroon on March 5, in the final round first leg qualifier in Yaoundé.
The final list of 20 is in South Africa for a weeklong camp to prepare for the Indomitable Lionesses.
Chanda has been instrumental in Zambia’s road to Tokyo having scored the two goasl in a 2-0 win over Botswana in Gaborone in the third round final leg qualifier. Zulu and Banda have also put up impressive performances in the last fixtures.
Coach Bruce Mwape has also kept faith in midfield maestro Mary Mwakapila and first choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali.
Defenders Anita Mulenga, Margaret Belemu, Rhodah Chileshe and Lushomo
Mweemba made the shortlist.
Zambia will host Cameroon on March 10 in the return leg with the winner qualifying to the Olympics.
The losing team will engage in a play-off with South American side Chile for qualification.
Meanwhile, South African under-17 women national team coach Simphiwe Dludlu, urged her players to give only their best when they face Zambia in the first leg of the 2020 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier to be played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka tomorrow.
“We are having one-on-one sessions with the players, and trying to get them in the right frame of mind ahead of the game. We need to build them emotionally and mentally because as much as this is our first match of the year, we have a very hectic period ahead of us,” Dludlu told Safa.net.
Bantwana arrived in Lusaka in the afternoon yesterday and are expected to have a training session today.
Senior Copper Queens squad
Goalkeepers
Catherine Musonda (Indeni), Hazel Nali (Green Buffaloes), Ngambo Musole (Zesco).
Defenders
Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mwemba (all Green Buffaloes), Jackline Nkole (Indeni), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Khosa, Emeldah Musonda (both Red Arrows).
Midfielders
Theresa Chewe (Red Arrows), Ireen Lungu, Mary Mwakapila, Judith Zulu (all Green Buffaloes).
Strikers
Hellen Mubanga (Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (BIIK Kazygurt), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes), Barbara Banda (Shanghai FC).