Hauptle summons Zambia squad to prepare for COSAFA

Zambia women national team head coach Nora Hauptle has summoned her 23-member final squad for the 2026 COSAFA Women Championship to be held in Polokwane South Africa from February 18-March 1, 2026.

Defending champions Zambia have been drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Botswana and Eswatini in the 2026 Cosafa Senior Women Championship. Hauptle will use the COSAFA championship as part of the buildup for the Morocco 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The 13th edition of the HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women’s Championship will be staged in Polokwane, South Africa, from February 18 to March 1, 2026. Check out the draw here: https://t.co/BKInB2R03a pic.twitter.com/zF1b49pUaV

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 4, 2026

Zambia were crowned champions in 2022 & 2024

The COSAFA squad is a mix of seasoned campaigners like Rachael Nachula, Kabanghe Mupopo, Hazel Nali, Susana Banda, Agness Musesa and Margaret Belemu and greenhorns like Mercy Chipasula, Margaret Gondwe and Chishala Mufunte who are looking to plead their case ahead of the WAFCON.

Eleven teams will compete for regional honours, with matches played at Seshego Stadium, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and New Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Zambia will open its account on Thursday, February 18 against Botswana at 15h00 at Seshego Stadium before facing Zimbabwe three days later.

Their final Group B match will be against Eswatini on February 24 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. The top teams in each pool and the best runner-up will advance to the semifinals.

Zambia were crowned champions in 2022 and 2024 with a runner up accolade in 2023. Some foreign-based players are unavailable for this window due to club engagements.

They will however, be available in the final preparatory stages for the WAFCON, which kicks off on March 17.

Zambia COSAFA-bound full squad;

(GOALKEEPERS); Mufunte Chishala (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls).

(DEFENDERS); Magaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Agness Musesa, Rachael Nachula, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Maluba Blessings (Nchanga Queens), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls).

(MIDFIELDERS); Susan Banda (Cekmekoy BilgiDoga Spor-Turkey), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Sampa Chisanga, Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades).

(STRIKERS); Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Maweta Chilenga, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police), Kabanghe Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls).