BARBRA BANDA UNAVAILABLE FOR AWCON

CAF has released final squad lists for the Morocco 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the tournament that kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) and Barbra Banda, among others, has been ruled out.

Due to suspension, Zambia will be without Ochumba Oseke and Siomala Mapepa for the opening match while skipper Barbra Banda will be unavailable for medical reasons.

Oseke and Mapepa will miss out due to accumulated cards during the qualification process.

“Outside the three players, everything else is fine with the team looking forward to the opening match against Cameroon on Sunday. We urge the public to fully support the team as it lifts our national flag high,” said FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala.

Zambia plays Cameroon on Sunday before facing Tunisia on July 6 and winds up their Group B campaign three days later against Togo.

The top four teams at the 12-nation tournament will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup hosted by Australia/New Zealand.

Below is the full squad:

(GOALKEEPERS)

Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses), Hazel Nali (Fatih Vatan Sport-Turkey), Leticia Lungu (Zesco Girls)

(DEFENDERS)

Judith Soko, Lushomo Mweemba, Anita Mulenga, Agness Musase, Martha Tembo (All Green Buffaloes), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (Hakkarigucu Spur-Turkey), Evarine Katongo (ZISD), Ireen Lungu, Natasha Nanyangwe (both Green Buffaloes), Esther Banda, Maweta Chilenga (both BUSA), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Girls)

(STRIKERS)

Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Biik Shyyehp-Kazakhstan), Siomala Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos), Noria Sosala (Indeni)