Shepolopolo Zambia captain and striker Barbara Banda has been named in the final 23-member squad for the COSAFA Women’s Championship that runs from August 31-11 September in South Africa.
Banda controversially missed the Africa Cup in Morocco over the alleged failure to meet CAF guidelines.
Coach Bruce Mwape has also included 2022 Africa Cup Bronze medalists Xiomara Mapepa, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji and Eneless Phiri in the final squad.
FAZ says goalkeeper Hazel Nali and striker Grace Chanda will miss the COSAFA Cup because of club engagements in Turkey and Kazakhstan respectively.
Shepolopolo will kick off the COSAFA Cup campaign against Namibia on 1 September at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The match against Lesotho is on 4 September and Zambia will tackle Eswatini two days later.
FULL-SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:Eunice Sakala (Nkwazi Queens), Agness Banda (National Assembly), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS:Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Banda (BUSA), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (all Green Buffaloes), Judith Soko (YASA), Margaret Belemu (Shanghai Shengli-China)
MIDFIELDERS:Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Women), Natasha Witika (Bayelsa Queens-Nigeria), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Maweta Chilenga (BUSA), Misozi Zulu (Hakkariguku Spor FC -Turkey)
STRIKERS: Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli – China), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows), Eneless Phiri (Police Doves), Xiomara Mapepa (Lusaka Dynamos Women FC)
CAF is full of bool sheeters
Why did Emmanuel Banda allow Mapepala to return to chaotic Lusaka?
He should have married her in Sweden, while she was on trials at his team.