Copper Queens’ COSAFA squad named

MOSES MWANZA writes@SunZambianTHE Zambia Women’s National Team Coach Bruce Mwape has named his final 20-member squad that is expected to compete at this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship slated for Port Elizabeth in South Africa from November 3-14.Meanwhile, the Coach Kangwa Kaluba-led Under 17 women’s team yesterday left for the COSAFA tournament.Coach Mwape has maintained the core of the squad that contributed to the team’s qualification to the Tokyo Olympics with a few additions to the team with Under-20 speedy winger Maylan Mulenga making the cut.Red Arrows strong Midfielder Mary Wilombe is the new entrant in the team has been away for national duty for some time.The Coach Mwape drilled lasses will depend on the availability of Chinese based top striker Barbara Banda to add more firepower upfront and her experience to inspire the team to its first-ever COSAFA championship trophy.Others expected to be impact players include Grace Chanda, Misozi Zulu who had a short stint in Kazakhstan at BIIK Kazygurt, Lushoomo Mweemba at the back together with Margaret Belemu making sure that Hazel Nali is well covered in a goal not forgetting Ireen ‘Xavi’ Lungu who needs to fill up the void left by Mary ‘RTSA Magical’ Mwakapila who is now in Israel. The Copper Queens are in Group B alongside Lesotho and Malawi and they will begin their title race with Lesotho on 4th November 2020 before locking horns with neighbors Malawi 5 days later in what could be a group decider.This year’s championship has 10 teams pitted in 3 groups, with leaders in each group going through to the semi-finals and one best-placed team joining them to complete the list.The Tournament will run from 3-14 November in Port Elizabeth.FULL FINAL SQUAD LIST(GOALKEEPERS)Catherine Musonda (Indeni), Hazel Nali (Green Buffaloes), Ngambo Musole (Zesco),(DEFENDERS)Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba (all Green Buffaloes), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Nkhosa, Mary Mulenga (all Red Arrows), Vast Phiri (Zesco)(MIDFIELDERS)Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Ireene Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Theresa Chewe, Misozi Zulu (both Indeni),(STRIKERS)Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Prisca Chilufya, Ochumba Oseke (both Red Arrows), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China) ZAMFOOTThe Sun