By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Zambia women’s national team’s countdown to Friday’s 2026 Olympic Games final round, first leg home tie against Morocco hit second gear with five professionals in camp.
The home-based Shepolopolo call-ups have been in camp since last week ahead of the April 5 fixture to be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
In camp are striker and captain Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride in the USA, one of the first eight foreign-based players in camp.
Others are the Kazakhstan based duo of defender Martha Tembo and midfielder Ireene Lungu.
Turkey-based midfielder Misozi Zulu and striker Rachael Nachula of Hapoel Jerusalem are also in camp.
FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala said midfielder Grace Chanda of Madrid CCF in Spain was expected by press time Tuesday evening.
Chanda is making her first return to the fold since recovering from an illness that saw her ruled out of last July’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Striker Rachael Kundananji of Bay FC in the USA and midfielder Prisca Chilufya who plays for Mexican club Juarez Femenil were expected today.
Meanwhile, Mungala said Morocco will arrive in Ndola by midday today.
The final leg is set for April 9 that will see the winner over both legs qualify to this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
Zambia are gunning for an unprecedented second successive Olympic qualification.
