Häuptle Announces 28-Player WAFCON Squad
Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle has named a 28-player provisional squad for a local training camp as preparations intensify for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The squad combines experienced internationals and emerging talent drawn from clubs in Zambia and abroad, with the camp expected to lay the foundation for Zambia’s WAFCON campaign.
According to FAZ, foreign-based players currently on their off-season break will immediately join the local camp, while those still engaged with their clubs will report at a later stage.
The provisional squad features five goalkeepers, twelve defenders, four midfielders and seven forwards as Häuptle begins fine-tuning her plans for the continental showpiece.
Among the notable names called up are experienced goalkeeper Hazel Nali, defenders Margaret Belemu and Rachael Nachula, midfielder Natasha Nanyangwe, and forwards Ngosa Chabwe, Mercy Chipasula and Eneless Phiri.
The squad also includes several players based abroad, including Lushomo Mweemba and Martha Tembo from Turkey, Siomala Mapepa from Saudi Arabia, Evarine Katongo from Israel and Hellen Chanda from Saudi Arabia.
Goalkeepers
- Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes)
- Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
- Winfridah Mutale (Elite Ladies)
- Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
Defenders
- Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows)
- Thelma Chellah (Zanaco Ladies)
- Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
- Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes)
- Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes)
- Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes)
- Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Rangers Queens)
- Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club, Saudi Arabia)
- Matildah Mukunda (Elite Ladies)
- Saliyah Mwanza (Elite Ladies)
- Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey)
- Martha Tembo (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey)
Midfielders
- Evarine Katongo (Rana’ana Women FC, Israel)
- Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)
- Blessings Zulu (Zanaco Ladies)
- Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames, Saudi Arabia)
Forwards
- Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses)
- Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Mercy Chipasula (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Ivy Nambeye (Nchanga Rangers Queens)
- Theresa Nayame (Kansanshi Queens)
The camp provides Häuptle with an opportunity to assess players before trimming the squad ahead of the final phase of preparations for WAFCON, where Zambia will be aiming to build on its impressive performances in recent major international tournaments.
With a blend of local talent and foreign-based experience, the Copper Queens will be hoping to enter the tournament fully prepared and ready to challenge Africa’s elite.
