Copper Queens in Eswatini challenge as they kick off COSAFA campaign

The Zambia Women’s national team will this afternoon start their 2021 COSAFA Women’s Championship campaign. The Copper Queens will square off with Eswatini at the Nelson Mandela University stadium.

The Copper Queens have high hopes riding on their shoulders following their maiden Olympic qualification and consequent showing at the tournament which was delayed for a year.

Zambia will be aiming to match their best-ever run which came in 2019 when they reached the final where they lost 1-0 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

The Copper Queens also finished in third place in 2002, 2006, and 2017.

The technical bench has carried a team with ten Olympians and impressive players from the local league.

ZESCO Ndola Girls goalkeeper Ng’ambo Musole is expected to start ahead of Indeni Roses’ goalminder Catherine Musonda and Nkwazi Queens’ Eunice Sakala between the sticks.

Red Arrows speedy defender Margaret Belemu will likely start at right-back with Margaret Mulenga or Mary Mulenga starting at left-back in the absence of Martha Tembo.

Green Buffaloes Women’s football club duo of Lushomo Mweemba and Agness Musesa are expected to make a partnership at the heart of the defense.

In midfield, the technical bench has options in Esther Namukwasa, Thandi Nkhata, Mary Wilombe, and Elizabeth Mupeso.

Upfront stand-in skipper Grace Chanda will lead the line alongside Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Avell Chitundu.

The match will kick-off at 15:30hours at the Nelson Mandela University Stadium, alias Madibaz stadium, and will be live on Supersport and can also be streamed on Cosafa. tv and Dstv.com platforms.

The lunchtime Group C kick-off has Namibia facing Uganda at Madibaz stadium.