Banda to lead Zambia squad for WAFCON 2022

Zambia standout player, Barbra Banda lead the Copper Queens squad for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022.

Coach Bruce Mwape announced his final 23-player squad that will be hoping to better their last appearance of the tournament. The Copper Queens ended their run in the group stages and missed out on the Fifa World Cup spot.

Following her incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympics where she became the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks at a single Games, Banda will be one of the key players for the Zambian side.

Mwape also called upon other overseas based players including Hazel Nali, Margaret Belemu, Misozi Zulu and Grace Chanda. Locally based players such as Esther Banda, Ireen Lungu, Lushomo Mweemba and Judith Soko, among others, are also in the squad.

Being the first team to arrive in Morocco, the Copper Queens were able to test themselves against the Atlas Lionesses in a match that ended in 1-1 draw with Chanda scoring for the Zambians while Zulu scored an own goal.

The Copper Queens will open their Group B campaign against Cameroon on 3 July at Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca. The Zambians will then come up against Tunisia three days later before closing the group stage against Togo on 9 July.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Hazel Nali, Leticia Lungu, Catherine Musonda

Defenders: Esther Banda, Esther Siamfuko, Margaret Belemu, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga, Judith Soko

Midfielders: Misozi Zulu, Ireen Lungu, Mary Wilombe, Evarine Katongo, Avell Chitundu, Maweta Chilenga

Strikers: Barbra Banda, Xiomara Mapepa, Grace Chanda, Ochumba Lubanji, Noria Sosala, Natasha Nanyangwe