Copper Queens stars Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji and Prisca Chilufya face a delayed return to their respective clubs in the United States after representing Zambia in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers, with public health travel requirements reportedly affecting their re-entry.
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the three Zambian internationals are subject to a 21-day waiting period under US public health travel protocols introduced in response to Ebola concerns in parts of East Africa. The requirements could disrupt their availability for their clubs during the closing stages of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season.
Banda plays for Orlando Pride, Kundananji represents Chicago Stars, while Chilufya is on the books of Angel City FC. All three were part of the Copper Queens squad that travelled to Kampala for the first leg of Zambia’s Olympic qualifier against Uganda on 8 October.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NWSL confirmed that several players who participated in the recent international window were observing US government public health re-entry requirements. The league said it was working closely with the affected clubs and US immigration authorities to facilitate the players’ safe return.
Importantly, the league emphasised that the affected players were in excellent health and that the restrictions were precautionary measures linked to their travel history, rather than reports of illness among the players.
The situation presents a potential challenge for the three clubs, with only two regular-season matches remaining before the NWSL play-offs. Their availability for those fixtures could be affected while the travel requirements remain in place.
For the Copper Queens, the travel complications come after a successful Olympic qualifying campaign against Uganda. Zambia lost the first leg 2-1 in Kampala but responded emphatically in the return fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, winning 4-1 to progress with a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The comeback secured Zambia’s place in the third round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, where they are scheduled to face Ghana in February 2027.
While the national team celebrates progression in the Olympic qualifying campaign, the focus for Banda, Kundananji and Chilufya now shifts to the arrangements required for their return to club football in the United States.
The clubs will be monitoring the situation as the regular season approaches its conclusion, with the availability of the Zambian trio potentially important to their preparations for the final fixtures and the play-offs.
