Zambia have begun the final stage of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with head coach Nora Häuptle naming a 28-player squad for a local training camp ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
The camp marks the start of the Copper Queens’ concluding build-up before the continental competition, with a mixture of locally based players and selected foreign-based footballers whose club seasons are currently on recess included in the provisional squad. Other overseas players will link up with the team during the final phase of preparations because of ongoing club commitments.
The training camp will also serve as an opportunity for players to stake their claim for a place in the final squad. Zambia are due to face fellow WAFCON qualifiers Algeria in two friendly matches next month before travelling to Morocco for the tournament.
Among the notable selections are midfielder Hellen Chanda, who returns to the national set-up, and striker Ivy Nambeye, who has been recalled after regaining fitness. Nambeye, who plays for Nchanga Rangers Queens, is back in contention as Zambia fine-tune their squad ahead of the championship.
Striker Penelope Mulubwa has also earned a place in the provisional squad, while Eneless Phiri returns after missing successive FIFA international windows. One of the most eye-catching selections is 14-year-old goalkeeper Winfridah Mutale, who has been included among the five goalkeepers called up for national duty.
The squad features players drawn from clubs in Zambia as well as others based abroad. Foreign-based players selected for the local camp include Siomala Mapepa of Altaraji Club in Saudi Arabia, Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba of Hakkarigucu Spor in Turkey, Hellen Chanda of Eastern Flames in Saudi Arabia and Evarine Katongo, who plays for Rana’ana Women FC in Israel.
Zambia will compete in Group C at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they have been drawn alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi. The top two teams from the group will progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
The tournament in Morocco is scheduled to take place from 25 July to 16 August and carries added significance, with qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup also at stake.
The four highest-placed teams at WAFCON will secure places at the World Cup in Brazil, which is due to be held in July and August 2027.
With two friendly matches still to come before the tournament begins, Häuptle and her technical staff will use the local camp to assess the players before confirming the final squad. Those unavailable because of club commitments are expected to join the team later, giving the coaching staff the opportunity to assemble a full-strength squad before Zambia depart for Morocco.
The provisional squad comprises goalkeepers Hazel Nali, Chishala Mufunte, Catherine Musonda, Winfridah Mutale and Eunice Sakala.
The defenders include Margaret Belemu, Thelma Chellah, Rhodah Chileshe, Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula, Memory Nthala, Blessing Maluba, Siomala Mapepa, Matildah Mukunda, Saliyah Mwanza, Lushomo Mweemba and Martha Tembo.
Midfield options are Evarine Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe, Blessings Zulu and Hellen Chanda, while the forwards are Ngosa Chabwe, Eneless Phiri, Penelope Mulubwa, Mercy Chipasula, Avell Chitundu, Ivy Nambeye and Theresa Nayame.
