Nora Häuptle Includes Foreign-Based Players in Super Falcons opponents Copper Queens Provisional Squad

Zambia women’s national team head coach Nora Häuptle has named several foreign-based players whose leagues are currently on recess in her provisional squad, while also extending an invitation to France-based forward Samiah Phiri of Thonon Évian Grand Genève FC.

The 23-year-old, who was born in the United States to a Zambian father and an American mother, is eligible to represent Zambia pending the completion of her dual citizenship documentation. Phiri is expected to arrive in the country during the local camp, where she will undergo assessment and potentially finalise the eligibility process.

Zambia have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt for the tournament, scheduled to run from March 17 to April.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows)
Mwila Mufunte (Green Buffaloes)
Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)
Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
Loveness Tonge (Green Eagles)

DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows)
Thelma Chellah (Zanaco Ladies)
Justina Zulu (Zanaco Ladies)
Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes)
Agness Musesa (Green Buffaloes)
Memory Nthala (Green Buffaloes)
Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes)
Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes)
Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens)
Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC, China 🇨🇳)
Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies)
Matildah Mukunda (Elite Ladies)
Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls)

MIDFIELDERS
Susan Banda (Cekmekoy Bilgidogga Spor, Turkey 🇹🇷)
Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls)
Esther Muchinga (Zesco Ndola Girls)
Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes)
Evarine Katongo (Green Buffaloes)
Ireen Lungu (Sichuan Jiangsu, China 🇨🇳)
Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows)
Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades)

STRIKERS
Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses)
Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies)
Agness Phiri (Green Buffaloes)
Maweta Chilenga (Green Buffaloes)
Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police)
Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows)
Penelope Mulubwa (Zesco Ndola Girls)
Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls)
Kabanghe Mupopo (Wuhan FC, China 🇨🇳)
Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace)
Samiah Phiri (Thonon Évian Grand Genève, France 🇫🇷)

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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