Katongo makes final squad as Bruce Mwape names 22 for Olympics

By Aaron Mubanga Jnr | July 2, 2021

Zambia Women’s national team head coach Bruce Mwape has named a strong 22 member squad ahead of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Two players are on standby given that the final squad will have 20 players despite all of them traveling to the Olympics. Avell Chitundu and Vast Phiri are the two players on standby.

18-year-old star midfielder Evarine Susan Katongo has made the squad alongside regulars like skipper Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Lushomo Mweemba, and Rachel Kundananji.

Spain-based striker Rachel Nachula misses out due to a hamstring injury.

The Copper Queens are in Group F alongside China, Brazil, and the Netherlands at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Coach Bruce Mwape tutored side will start their journey at the Olympics with a stern test against the Netherlands on 21st July 2021 before taking on China PR 3 days later with both matches slated for Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi.

The Copper Queens will then wrap up their group match against the much-fancied Brazil on 27th July 2021 at Saitama Stadium in Saitama

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers

Hazel Nali (Hapoel Beer’Sheva), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Ng’ambo Musole (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

Defenders:

Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo, Anita Mulenga, Agness Musesa ( All Green Buffaloes ), Margaret Belemu, Fikile Khosa (Red Arrows ), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy)

Midfielders:

Mary Wilombe, Hellen Chanda (Red Arrows), Esther Namukwasa (Indeni Roses), Irene Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Evelyn Susan Katongo (Luyando Foundation), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls)

Strikers :

Hellen Mubanga, (Zaragoza CFF- Spain), Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China ), Grace Chanda, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Both Red Arrows), Rachel Kundananji (BIIk Kazyugurt- Kazakhstan)