Key Players Absent as Copper Queens Brace for WAFCON Qualifiers Against Angola
Key Players Absent as Copper Queens Brace for WAFCON Qualifiers Against Angola
Zambia’s national women’s football team, the Copper Queens, are gearing up for a challenging set of WAFCON qualifiers against Angola but will be without several key players. The absence includes first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali recovering from ACL surgery, vice-captain Grace Chanda yet to feature for Madrid CFF after missing the World Cup due to illness, and Lubandji Ochumba and Margret Belemu undergoing military training with the Zambia Air Force.
Despite these setbacks, Coach Bruce Mwape remains confident in the team’s capabilities, pointing to a large pool of stars to choose from. The Copper Queens aim to secure victory against Angola to qualify for the 2024 WAFCON tournament in Morocco.
The first leg is scheduled to take place in Angola next week, with the return leg set for December 5th in Zambia. The winner of the two-legged clash will secure a spot in the 2024 WAFCON tournament.
Recalling Zambia’s third-place finish in the 2022 edition, despite the absence of key players like Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, and Racheal Nachula who were barred by CAF, there is optimism that the trio may participate in the next tournament if Zambia qualifies.
As the Copper Queens prepare for the upcoming qualifiers, the team sets its sights on advancing further in the 2024 WAFCON tournament, marking the 15th edition of the competition.
