Copper Queens off to Chile

BERNARD CHAMA writes@SunZambianTHE Zambia Women National Team has set off for Santiago, Chile where they will play two international friendly matches. Zambia will play Chile on November 28 and December 1 in Santiago as part of preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesThe team is led by skipper Barbara Banda who plys her trade in China. Mwape has also summoned Spain based duo of Rachel Nachula and Hellen Mubanga together with Israeli based Mary Mwakapila.Mwape has surprisingly dropped first choice goalkeeper Nali Hazel , first choice right back Margaret Belemu, midfielder Irene ‘Xavi’ Lungu and striker Prisca Chilufya who were part of the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Championship squad.Nali and Belemu were very instrumental during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifications and have been key players since 2018. Mwape has also roped in two U-17 stars in skipper Esther Siamfuko and midfield ace Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda.The team will play the first game on November 28 before concluding their tour with the second match on December 1.The two international friendly matches are part of preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games while Chile is preparing for their last gasp playoff with Cameroon to decide the final ticket for the Olympics.FULL SQUAD:(GOALKEEPERS)Catherine Musonda (Indeni) Ngambo P Musole (Zesco) (DEFENDERS)Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga , Martha Tembo, Lushomo Wilombe (all Green Buffaloes), Vast Phiri (Zesco), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Fikile Khosa (Red Arrows), (MIDFIELDERS)Judith Zulu (Green Buffaloes), Esther ‘Gelo’ Banda (Bauleni United Sports Academy), Mary Mulenga, Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (Indeni), Mary Mwakapila (Hapoe’l Beer Sheva-Israel) (STRIKERS)Hellen Mubanga (CFF Zaragoza-Spain), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli-China), Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Rachel Nachula (CFF Zaragoza -Spain)