Copper Queens Intensify Preparations for WAFCON in Morocco, Announce 35-Member Provisional Squad

Zambia’s senior women’s national football team, the Copper Queens, have stepped up preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a three-nation FIFA international friendly tournament set to take place in South Africa.

The squad resumed training on Tuesday morning at the Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka as they gear up for key preparatory fixtures against Botswana and hosts South Africa, scheduled during the upcoming FIFA international window.

These friendlies will be crucial for head coach Bruce Mwape and his technical team as they fine-tune the squad ahead of the continental showpiece, which runs from 5–26 July 2025 in Morocco.

A provisional 35-player squad has been named, with a healthy mix of local and foreign-based talents. Among the first arrivals in camp were Turkey-based defenders Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba, while Xiomara Mapepa of Beijing Jingstan FC in China also checked in early. Other international stars expected include Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya, and Racheal Kundananji.

The friendly tournament begins on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, with South Africa hosting Botswana in the opener. The Copper Queens will begin their campaign on Saturday, 31 May 2025 against Botswana, before locking horns with defending WAFCON champions South Africa on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.

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35-MEMBER PROVISIONAL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

• Leticia Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

• Mwila Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes)

• Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)

• Margaret Phiri (The Elite Ladies)

• Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)

DEFENDERS:

• Martha Tembo (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey)

• Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey)

• Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows)

• Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes)

• Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes)

• Josephine Lubinda (Choma Warriors)

• Zamiwe Mukokomena (Indeni Roses)

• Matildah Mukunda (The Elite Ladies)

• Judith Soko (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

• Pauline Zulu (ZANACO Ladies)

MIDFIELDERS:

• Ireen Lungu (Sichuan, China)

• Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC, China)

• Racheal Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel)

• Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride, USA)

• Prisca Chilufya (Orlando Pride, USA)

• Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes)

• Evarine Susan Katongo (Green Buffaloes)

• Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)

• Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses)

• Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens)

• Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

• Marjory Mulenga (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

• Mapalo Maluba (Nchanga Rangers Queens)

• Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)

• Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows)

STRIKERS:

• Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, USA)

• Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan FC, China)

• Kabange Mupopo (Henan WFC, China)

• Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC, USA)

• Penelope Mulubwa (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

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