WAFCON: Kundananji replaces injured Banda for Namibia game

Forward Rachel Kundananji will captain Zambia’s senior women’s football team when they face Namibia in South Africa on Wednesday.

The America-based star has stepped in the shoes of Barbra Banda who will miss the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) match due to an injury.

Coach Nora Häuptle confirmed the Copper Queens will be denied the services of their America-based inspirational skipper during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying round, first leg match.

The Southern Africa opponents will meet at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa where Namibia national teams host international games due to a lack of certified venues back home.

Why is Zambia captain Barbra Banda unavailable for Namibia?

In a post-match interview with South African media ahead of the game, Häuptle confirmed the injury of Orlando Pride FC star Banda, but hastened to add that there are available options.

“Barbara Banda, our captain, is injured and Fridah Mukoma is also out with an ACL [Anterior Cruciate Ligament],” the coach said.

“It is interesting to see which players are stepping in to those roles. Rachel Kundananji will take over the captaincy. We always try to work for solutions. It is about us proving that we have better players on the pitch.”

The Copper Queens’ coach has since shared her thoughts on what she expects from Namibia and the challenge of playing away.

“They have a new coach, and basically when we look at the squad list, we have better players in our line up, but I expect Namibia to prove themselves as a team with a good stretch against us,” the coach for Zambia explained.

“It would be a tough challenge looking at the away-goal rule. We are here to take the initiative to score and we will be dominating. [We are looking forward] to the second leg at home, playing in front of 30,000 or 40,000 crazy Zambians. [In the first leg], it will be a very different atmosphere. Very silent, no spectators but I think we are very focused.”

Häuptle added that the absence of the duo will be compensated by the availability of other foreign-based stars such as the United States- based midfielder Grace Chanda, Lushomo Mweemba and Martha Tembo, both of Hakarrigucu in Turkey.

Other stars such as Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China) and Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingtan FC-China) and Prisca Chilufya of Angel City FC in America. The Copper Queens will host the return leg on Sunday at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in the mining town of Ndola.