Green Eagles Women have unveiled a new technical bench and seven new players as they prepare for the 2026 Zambia Premier League Women’s Super Division Southern Zone transitional season, with the club setting its sights on challenging for honours while building a team capable of competing at regional and continental level.
The club has appointed Enala Phiri Simbeye, a CAF A Licence holder, as the new head coach. She will be assisted by Alex Sikanyika as first assistant coach, with Mwamba Kelvin taking up the role of second assistant. The new technical bench has been entrusted with the task of developing a competitive side capable of challenging for domestic honours while also contributing players to the Zambia national team.
Simbeye takes charge with an ambitious vision for the club and has made it clear that her objectives extend beyond simply navigating the transitional campaign. She wants to establish a team with the potential to compete at the regional level, particularly in the COSAFA environment, while developing players who can progress to the national team.
“My promise is that I’ll be ready to undertake every task, no excuses. My personal goal is to build a team for COSAFA. With the right support, we will do great things,” Simbeye said.
Her appointment comes at a time when Green Eagles Women are looking to establish a stronger foundation for the future. The club’s leadership sees the transitional season as an opportunity to begin building a side that can compete for major honours while creating a sustainable pathway for players aspiring to represent Zambia.
Green Eagles Women chairman Brigadier General Isaac Haminwe said the club’s ambitions go beyond merely participating in the transitional season. He challenged the team to compete for championships and major cup honours while eventually establishing itself as a representative on the continental stage.
The club is also targeting participation in CAF and COSAFA competitions, alongside other continental opportunities. That ambition reflects Green Eagles’ desire to develop into a side capable of competing beyond the domestic league and making a stronger contribution to women’s football in Zambia.
Another important part of the club’s plans is player development. Green Eagles want to create a pathway through which talented players can progress to the highest levels of the game and ultimately represent the Zambia national team.
Club secretary Goliath Mungomba has set an immediate domestic target of a top-two finish in the Southern Zone, which consists of 11 teams. That objective gives the new technical bench a clear target as it begins work with a reshaped squad.
The club has also moved to strengthen the playing group, bringing in seven new players across different positions. The additions are expected to provide greater depth, increase competition for places and give Simbeye more options as she implements her footballing philosophy.
Between the posts, Gift Chimba has joined Green Eagles Women from Konkola Blades, adding another goalkeeping option to the squad.
The attacking department has been strengthened by the arrival of Ghanaian forward Miriam Mohammed, who joins after featuring for ZISD last season. Her addition provides another attacking option as Green Eagles look to improve their threat in the final third.
The club has also signed striker Bupe Soko from Ingwe Girls, adding further competition to the forward line.
Defensively, Green Eagles have brought in Naomi Mumba from Green Buffaloes Women and Phylis Kangwa from Shining Stars Liso Girls. Their arrivals are expected to strengthen the defensive options available to the new coaching staff.
The midfield has also received reinforcements, with Rosemary Nyirongo joining from Yasa Queens. Meanwhile, Given Phiri has arrived from Konkola Blades on loan, further increasing the options available in the middle of the pitch.
The seven additions give Green Eagles a mixture of experience and new competition across the squad, with the technical bench now tasked with bringing the new arrivals together with the existing players.
For Simbeye, one of the immediate challenges will be creating cohesion within the reshaped squad while introducing her preferred approach to the game. The transition period will give the coach an opportunity to assess her players, establish roles and build the foundations of the team she wants to take forward.
The club’s leadership has made it clear, however, that the transitional season should not be viewed simply as a shortened competition. Green Eagles see the campaign as the starting point for a broader project aimed at building a team capable of competing for domestic silverware and eventually representing the club in regional and continental competitions.
The Southern Zone campaign will provide the first test of that ambition. With 11 teams competing for places, Green Eagles have set their sights on finishing inside the top two, giving Simbeye and her players a clear objective from the outset.
Beyond the league position, the club’s longer-term vision places considerable emphasis on player development. By combining a new technical structure with seven new additions, Green Eagles are looking to create an environment in which players can develop and potentially progress to the Zambia national team.
Simbeye’s appointment also gives the club a coach holding a CAF A Licence, while her stated ambition of building a team for COSAFA reflects the broader direction Green Eagles are seeking to take.
The new-look Green Eagles Women side will now begin the process of turning those ambitions into performances on the pitch, with the transitional season providing the first opportunity for the new technical bench and playing squad to demonstrate their progress.
With a top-two finish identified as the immediate target and CAF and COSAFA participation forming part of the longer-term ambition, Green Eagles Women have laid out a clear roadmap. The challenge now lies with Simbeye, her technical team and the seven new recruits to translate that vision into results.
