Copper Queens Coach Nora Häuptle has announced a 25-member provisional squad ahead of Zambia’s back-to-back Morocco 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Namibia.
The first leg will be played away on October 22 at Dobsonville Stadium in South Africa, with the return leg set for October 26 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The winner of the two-legged tie will secure a spot in the WAFCON, with the top four teams at the tournament qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Zambia will be without CAF Women Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda, who is sidelined due to injury. Häuptle, however, has assembled a balanced squad combining local and foreign-based players to cover her absence. Local-based stars are expected to report to camp on Thursday, while foreign-based players will join after their weekend club commitments.
This selection follows an initial phase of preparation in which Häuptle had called up 42 players for a local camp, allowing her to refine the squad ahead of the crucial Namibia tie.
Full Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
Defenders: Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Rangers), Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingtan FC-China), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkaigucu Spor-Turkey), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Zanaco Ladies)
Midfielders: Susan Banda, Mary Wilombe (both Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride-USA), Evarine Katongo, Maweta Chilenga, Natasha Nanyangwe (all Green Buffaloes), Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China)
Strikers: Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City FC-USA), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco United), Kabange Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Eneles Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
The Copper Queens will focus on tactical cohesion and match readiness during the camp. Häuptle aims to build a team capable of competing at the highest level, leveraging the experience of foreign-based players alongside the talent of local stars.
The Namibia tie represents a critical step for Zambia as they aim to qualify for WAFCON and ultimately secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.