Nora Names 2025 WAFCON Team
PICTURE CREDIT: FAZ MEDIA
Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji are heading back to the WAFCON to set the record straight after the controversy of watching probably Zambian women's football's finest hour from the terraces.
Banda and Kundananji were banned by CAF from the 2022 WAFCON due to what it termed as medical reasons.
The duo watched from the sidelines as Zambia made it out of the WAFCON group stage for the first time, then clinched its debut podium finish with a bronze medal that also earned them a historic FIFA Women's World Cup qualification.
2025 WAFCON is deviod of the politics past.
Kundananji and Banda are back for their second WAFCON after making their debut at Ghana 2018 where a shape of things to come for Zambian women's football under the long-serving tenure of Bruce Mwape was announced.
Mwape's successor Nora Hauptle of Switzerland named her final 24-member team for Morocco 2025 which has 12 players from the 2022 team who toiled without their premium strikers to the last three of the tournament that was also held in the same country.
Hauptle has also named young U17 striker Mercy Chipasula whose 6 goals sent the Zambia U17 to their second successive FIFA U17 Women's World Cup to also be held in Morocco.
Chipasula has been a constant figure in Hauptle's first six games in charge and has a goal to her credit.
The prospect from Kamfinsa Blue Eagles in Kitwe is part of the 13 home-based players who entered the preliminary camp in Lusaka on Thursday.
The other 11 overseas-based players will join Zambia in Morocco when the team sets up base there on June 24 ahead of the 2025 WAFCON kickoff on July 5.
Zambia will face hosts Morocco in the WAFCONs opening game on July 5.
Senegal and DR Congo are the other Group A teams that Zambia will face on July 9 and July 12 respectively.
GOALKEEPERS: Mwila Chishala Mufunte, Ngambo Musole (both Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
DEFENDERS: Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey), Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Pauline Zulu (ZANACO Ladies), Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko (both Green Buffaloes)
MIDFIELDERS: Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China), Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC-China), Racheal Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya (both Orlando Pride-USA), Evarine Susan Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe (both Green Buffaloes), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens), Mapalo Maluba (Nchanga Rangers Queens), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)
STRIKERS: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan FC-China), Kabange Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC-USA)