Kundananji leads Zambia women’s team to Malawi’s tourney

America-based striker Rachel Kundananji will lead Zambia women’s team to Malawi for a three-nation FIFA window tournament scheduled from this Friday to Tuesday.

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has invited Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of warm-ups for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals scheduled for Morocco in March.

While big-name players usually chicken out from such invitational competitions, this one seems an exception. The Scorchers of Malawi will parade all their finest talents such as Tabitha Chawinga with the only absentee being her injured sister Temwa.

Zambia have followed suit as they will travel to Lilongwe with a near full-strength side with injured skipper Barbra Banda being the only notable absentee.

Who else is in Zambia’s 24-member squad?

The Copper Queens coach Nora Hauptle named the 24-member squad on Monday ahead of the tournament scheduled for Bingu National Stadium.

The Bay FC forward Kundananji will captain Zambia’s squad which comprises seasoned campaigners such as Mary Wilombe, Rachael Nachula, Grace Chanda, Kabange Mupopo, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo and Susan Banda among others.

The Swiss coach has kept faith in the bulk of the players that helped Zambia secure the WAFCON ticket.

Zambia’s full squad:

Goalkeepers

Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Defenders

Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Memory Nthala, Rachael Nachula, Magaret Gondwe (all Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (both Hakkarigucu-Turkey), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Midfielders

Susan Banda (Cekemekoy-Turkey), Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride-USA), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe (both Green Buffaloes), Ireen Lungu (Sichun-China), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)

Forwards

Regina Chanda (Zanaco), Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City-USA), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC), Penelope Mulubwa, Eneles Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Mupopo Kabange (Henan WFC-China).

Three-Nation Tournament Fixtures

Friday

Zimbabwe v Malawi at 5pm Southern African time

Sunday

Malawi v Zambia at 3pm Southern African time

Tuesday

Zambia v Zimbabwe at 3pm Southern African time

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