Details about the Zambia squad for the Women's World Cup 2023, including the players who may be included and those who may miss out.
Heading into their maiden Women's World Cup, Zambia will be on a mission to mark their name on the biggest stage in Women's football.
The Copper Queens are one of the biggest prospects in Women's football out of Africa and boast of a very young squad who are prepared to take on any hurdle placed in their way. The winners of the COSAFA Women's Cup will travel to Australia and New Zealand to prove a point and will look to play an exemplary brand of football to give a wave of happiness to the fans at home.
Head coach Bruce Mwape is all excited to be heading to the World Cup calling it "history in the making". Speaking to , Mwape stated: "But nothing is impossible. The results can go either way – and victory is possible."
And the Copper Queens would be hoping to put on a show against some strong opponents seeded in their group.
Zambia will lock horns with Japan in their opening World Cup match on the 22nd of July before facing European giants Spain on the 26th of July. The African side finishes off the group stage against Costa Rica on the 31st of July.GOALtakes a look at who made it to the Zambia Women's World Cup squad.
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Faith Vatan Spor's Hazel Nali is tipped to start in Zambia's line-up for their first game against Japan. Nali has been a constant starter in Mwape's eleven and she will be expected to command her defense with great authority.
The 25-year-old operates with a creative and offensive style of play and would be crucial if Zambia want to create attacks from the back. Although Nali's form isn't great heading into the World Cup having conceded 12 goals in her previous 4 fixtures, she has the perfect opportunity to silence her doubters at the showpiece event.
Catherine Musonda and Eunice Sakala are the other backup options for the Copper Queens if they feel the need to make any last-minute tweaks heading into the World Cup.
Name ClubCatherine MusondaTomiris-TurnanEunice SakalaNkwazi QueensHazel NaliFaith Vatan SporAdvertisementBackpage PixDEFENDERS
The Zambian side have quite a young squad in each department but their defence is one place where fans can expect to see some experience on the pitch. Mwape has opted to pick a catalogue of young players in his backline having selected a vast number of defenders in his final roster.
Agness Musase and Lushoma Mweemba are touted to be the leading centre-back partnership owing to their exploits in their native league. The duo could prove influential against opposite attackers especially as Zambia are placed in a group consisting of Spain.
The explosive and powerful duo of Margaret Blemu and Marta Tembo would be seen guarding the defense on either side of Musase and Mweemba. Shanghai Shengli's star Margaret Blemu will not shy away from galloping down her flank to turn defence into attacks and help her midfielders put pressure on their rivals.
The likes of Vast Phiri and Esther Banda are names that add depth to Zambia's defense. While Judith Soko and Mary Mulenga would be pushing for a spot in the eleven as all of them play their trades in their native leagues and would be vying to glorify Zambia's name on the biggest stage in Women's football.
Name ClubMargaret Blemu Shanghai ShengliMartha TemboBIIK ShymkentLushomo MweembaGreen BuffaloesAgness MusaseGreen BuffaloesEsther BandaBUSAJudith SokoYASAMary MulengaRed ArrowsVast PhiriESCO Ndola GirlsBackpagepixMIDFIELDERS
Mwape chooses to field a double-pivot in the centre of the park to provide ample defensive cover while also enabling the transition of defensive gameplays into attacking movements. Red Arrows' midfield star Mary Wilombe would be seen partnering up with KISD Women's Evarine Susan Katongo.
A perfect mixture of leadership qualities and youth, the duo can command the game for Zambia. Another name who can be seeded in the pivot alongside either Wilombe or Katonga is 25-year-old Avell Chitundu.
The most experienced player in Zambia's squad is 28-year-old Hellen Mubanga. The Zaragoza midfielder has already proved her worth in Spain and could bring a sense of composure and calmness to a young team.
Mary Wilombe's club teammate, Susan Banda is another name who could be given a run in Australia and New Zealand by the manager.
NameClubIreen LunguBIIK ShymkentHellen ChandaBIIK ShymkentEvarine Susan KatongoKISD WomenMary WilombeRed ArrowsSusan BandaRed ArrowsAvell ChitunduZESCO Ndula GirlsHellen MubangaZaragoza CFFGettyFORWARDS
Despite a strong backline and a double-pivot system in midfield, Zambia's biggest threat to their opposition would be their attacking department. Shanghai Shengli's goal-scoring machine and Zambia's captain Babra Banda will have a massive responsibility on her shoulders to find the back of the net on several occasions.
Banda had bagged 22 goals in 10 games for the Chinese side this season and is in red-hot form in front of goal. Real Madrid's stars Grace Chanda and Rachael Kundananji would operate on either side of Banda and would be seen darting down the flanks with their electrifying pace.
The duo can chip in with crucial goals and have been labelled 'frightening talents' by many defenders who have crossed swords with the wingers. The Madrid prodigies would also be seen providing wide support to their midfielder enabling them to garner space for them to gallop from the centre of the pitch.
20-year-old talent Xiomara Mapepa and Red Arrows' forward Ochumba Lubandji will provide for a scintillating bench strength for the African nation at the World Cup.
Name ClubXiomara MapepaElite LadiesGrace ChandaMadrid CFFRacheal KundananjiMadrid CFFBarbra BandaShanghai ShengliOchumba LubandjiRed Arrows
