2024 Paris Qualifiers: Zambia name squad for Black Queens of Ghana clash
Zambia's women's national soccer team, under the guidance of head coach Bruce Mwape, has unveiled its preliminary roster in anticipation of the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualifiers against Ghana.
The initial encounter between Shepolopolo and Ghana's Black Queens is scheduled for Kumasi on Friday, February 23, followed by a return match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola five days later.
Mwape's selection largely includes players who successfully navigated through the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification against Angola.
An exciting return to the squad is marked by Green Buffaloes' striker and track star, Kabange Mupopo, making her comeback after an absence of eight years.
A triumph for the Zambian side would propel Ghana into the fourth and final round, setting the stage for a series of home-and-away showdowns, with one coveted ticket to the Olympic Games hanging in the balance.
Full squad below:
- GOALKEEPERS: Catherine Musonda (Hapoel Raanana Women FC-Israel), Leticia Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes), Loveness Tonge (Green Eagles)
- DEFENDERS: Natasha Kapombo (INDENI Roses), Tabo Miselo (National Assembly), Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Katila Banda, Esther Banda, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (YASA)
- MIDFIELDERS: Misozi Zulu, Hellen Chanda (both Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Ireen Lungu (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan), Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies), Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Salome Phiri (Green Buffaloes), Marjory Mulenga, Avell Chitundu (both ZESCO Ndola Girls)
- STRIKERS: Rachael Kundananji (Madrid CFF-Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Fridah Kabwe (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Namasiku Lungowe (ZISD Women), Kabange Mupopo (Green Buffaloes), Eneless Phiri (Nkwazi Queens), Norin Betani (INDENI Roses), Florence Banda (National Assembly)