The Zambia Women’s National Team, the Copper Queens, will begin their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco with a local training camp starting Monday. Head coach Nora Häuptle has summoned a provisional squad of 38 players.
The camp will feature local-based talent and a select group of foreign-based players whose leagues are currently on recess. Notable among them is France-based forward Samiah Phiri of Thonon Évian Grand Genève FC. The 23-year-old, born in the USA to a Zambian father and American mother, is eligible to represent Zambia pending the completion of her dual citizenship process. She is expected to join the camp for assessment.
Coach Häuptle has also integrated several Under-20 prospects into the provisional squad. These players will initially join the U20 camp, which is preparing for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda in February, before linking up with the senior team.
The Copper Queens are drawn in Group C of WAFCON, alongside defending champions Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt. The tournament will be held from March 17 to April 13, 2026. The top four finishers will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Zambia made its historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in 2022, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
- Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
- Mwila Mufunte (Green Buffaloes)
- Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)
- Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
- Loveness Tonge (Green Eagles)
DEFENDERS
6. Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows)
7. Thelma Chellah (Zanaco Ladies)
8. Justina Zulu (Zanaco Ladies)
9. Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes)
10. Agness Musesa (Green Buffaloes)
11. Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes)
12. Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes)
13. Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes)
14. Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens)
15. Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC, China)
16. Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies)
17. Matildah Mukunda (Elite Ladies)
18. Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls)
MIDFIELDERS
19. Susan Banda (Çekmeköy Bilgidoğa Spor, Turkey)
20. Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
21. Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls)
22. Esther Muchinga (Zesco Ndola Girls)
23. Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)
24. Evarine Katongo (Green Buffaloes)
25. Ireen Lungu (Sichuan Jiangyou, China)
26. Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)
27. Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades)
STRIKERS
28. Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses)
29. Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies)
30. Agness Phiri (Green Buffaloes)
31. Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes)
32. Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police)
33. Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows)
34. Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco Ndola Girls)
35. Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
36. Kabanghe Mupopo (Wuhan FC, China)
37. Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace)
38. Samiah Phiri (Thonon Evian Grand Genève, France)
Note: Foreign-based players whose leagues are currently active have been excused from this local camp.
