Bruce Mwape, the head coach of Zambia's female national team, has unveiled a preliminary squad in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics Qualifiers against Ghana.
The initial encounter between Zambia's Shepolopolo and Ghana's Black Queens is scheduled to take place in Kumasi on Friday, February 23rd, followed by a return fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola five days later.
Mwape's squad includes many players who contributed to Zambia's successful qualification for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Angola.
Kabange Mupopo, a striker and athlete from Green Buffaloes, has made a notable return to the Shepolopolo squad after an eight-year absence.
A triumph for Ghana over Zambia would propel them to the fourth and final round, where they will engage in two home-and-away encounters, vying for one of the two coveted spots at the Olympic Games.
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)