Mwape Names 38-Member Provisional Squad for Paris 2024 Olympics

Zambia's national women's football team coach, Bruce Mwape, has unveiled a 38-member provisional squad for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics scheduled to take place in France from July 24 to August 10, 2024.

The squad announcement marks the return of the Red Arrows contingent, including Margaret Belemu, Mary Mulenga, Mary Wilombe, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, and Hellen Mubanga, who had been temporarily absent due to military training.

Coach Mwape has largely retained the core group that secured qualification for both the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the Paris Olympics, with captain Barbra Banda leading the charge from her base in the United States.

Zambia, aiming to surpass their previous Olympic performance, will compete in Group B against formidable opponents such as the United States, Germany, and Australia. The Copper Queens' campaign kicks off against the United States on July 25 at Nice Stadium, followed by a clash with Australia three days later. They will conclude their group stage matches against Germany on July 31 at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:

- Catherine Musonda (Hapoel Raanana Women FC-Israel)

- Ngambo Musole (Green Buffaloes)

- Eunice Sakala (INDENI Roses)

- Chitete Munsaka (Elite Ladies)

Defenders:

- Martha Tembo (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan)

- Lushomo Mweemba (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan)

- Esther Siamfuko, Esther Banda, Diana Banda (all Green Buffaloes)

- Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies)

- Judith Soko (YASA)

- Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

- Esther Muchinga (ZANACO Ladies)

- Thelma Chella (ZANACO Ladies)

- Natasha Kapombo (INDENI Roses)

- Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows)

- Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows)

Midfielders:

- Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride-USA)

- Misozi Zulu, Hellen Chanda (both Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey)

- Ireen Lungu (BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent-Kazakhstan)

- Rhodah Chileshe (INDENI Roses)

- Comfort Selemani (Elite Ladies)

- Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

- Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)

- Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes)

- Prisca Chilufya (Club Juarez Femenil-Mexico)

Strikers:

- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA)

- Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA)

- Eneless Phiri (Nkwazi Queens)

- Kabange Mupopo (Green Buffaloes)

- Agness Phiri (Green Buffaloes)

- Charity Mubanga (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

- Fridah Kabwe (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

- Namasiku Lungowe (ZISD Women)

- Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel)

- Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows)

- Hellen Mubanga (Red Arrows)