U-17 COSAFA Women’s preps start

AARON MUBANGA writes@SunZambian THE Zambia Under-17 Women’s national team head coach Kaluba Kangwa has summoned a 40 member squad for the first phase of preparations ahead of this year’s U-17 COSAFA Women’s Championships.Kangwa has maintained the majority of the team that went to the tournament last year. The Football Association of Zambia availed the team list of players summoned by coach Kaluba in a post on their official Facebook page monitored by the ZamFoot Crew.The Copper Princesses are expected to enter the residential camp in Lusaka tomorrow.“The Zambia under-17 Women National Team is set to regroup next week for the first phase of preparations for the 2020 Cosafa Women Championship. Coach Kangwa Kaluba has summoned 40 players for a pre-selection trial that will see the girls regroup in Lusaka.”Midfielders Esther Banda, Maweta Gloria Chilenga, and Josephine Phiri lead the contingent from last year’s squad. Other notable names include YASA star forward Florence Kasonde, Captain fantastic Esther Siamfuko who recently joined Queens Academy.Wing Wizard Cindy Banda returns after missing out on World Cup qualifiers against South Africa due to a fractured arm. Paataki and Barcelona Academy midfield ace Inonge ‘Debruyne’ Muyamwa also returns to the squad.The Lusaka based Princesses have had a head start as they were assessed yesterday and today by the technical bench at Barcelona Academy.The Copper Princesses came out third at the inaugural COSAFA Women’s Championship and will be looking to improve on that feet. Kaluba’s lasses were later eliminated from the FIFA World Cup race by South Africa in March after having suffered a 3-2 aggregate loss.The 2020 Cosafa under-17 tournament is tentatively set for South Africa next month in Port Elizabeth.FULL SQUAD(GOALKEEPERS)Inghutu Muchahabali (Yasa Girls), Chiteta Munsaka (Musport), Margaret Chileshe (Queens Academy), Miriam Sikanduli(DEFENDERS)Martha Kitila Banda (Busa), Patricia Mumba, Mirriam Mwape, Pauline Lungu (all Pataki), Jane Mulenga (Rockets), Esther Siamfuko (Choma Warriors), Margaret Yambe (Lusaka Foundation), Luty Kamanga (Yasa), Edah Lungu (Evergreen), Tefeonga Munune (Luyando Foundation), Misozi Phiri (Cabana Girls)(MIDFIELDERS)Shelly Masumo, Esther Banda, Margaret Chulu, Gloria Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Margaret Chisenga (Green Buffaloes), Blessed Mwaba (Rockets), Josephine Phiri (Lusaka Foundation), Grace Sakala, Shanje Kolala (both Luyando Foundation), Nandipa Mukombe (Lusaka Queens), Joyce Nyirenda (Queens Academy), Blessings Zulu (Pataki Girls)(STRIKERS)Enart Mukumbwe (Red Arrows), Florence Kasonde, Melisa Mutaba (both Yasa), Tisilile Lungu, Lydia Hamaninga (both Kafue Celtic), Precious Nsama, Comfort Selemani (both Solwezi Academy), Pauline Zulu, Inonge Muyamwa (both Barca Academy), Cindy Banda (Blessing Academy), Lucy Kajiya (Rising Stars Academy), Tikule Daka (Queens Academy). The Sun