Nora Häuptle Names 29-Player Copper Queens Squad For WAFCON Preparations against Super Falcons

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)-bound Zambia women’s national football team have entered camp in Lusaka after head coach Nora Häuptle unveiled a 29-player provisional squad for upcoming assignments.

Captain Barbra Banda headlines the list, making her return after an injury layoff. Malta-based midfielder Misozi Zulu also rejoins the squad after missing the last WAFCON tournament. Zulu featured at the 2022 edition, which paved the way for Zambia’s historic debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Häuptle has retained the entire 23-player contingent from the COSAFA campaign and added six foreign-based professionals. However, some players based abroad are currently affected by travel disruptions due to the escalating USA-Iran conflict and will link up with the team once circumstances permit.

Dual Objectives: WAFCON & FIFA Series

The Copper Queens are preparing for two major assignments — the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco and the FIFA Series Tournament in Brazil, scheduled for April 11–18.

At WAFCON, Zambia have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria women’s national football team, as well as Malawi and Egypt. The tournament will run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco.

The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the top four teams earning automatic tickets.

For the FIFA Series in Brazil, Zambia will face hosts Brazil, South Korea, and Canada in a series of international friendlies. The FIFA Series is a biennial invitational tournament organized by FIFA, designed to promote inter-confederation matchups.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers:

Mufunte Chishala (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Defenders:

Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Agness Musesa, Rachael Nachula, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko (Green Buffaloes), Maluba Blessings (Nchanga Queens), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls), Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkarigücü, Turkey)

Midfielders:

Susan Banda (Cekmekoy BilgiDoga Spor, Turkey), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Sampa Chisanga, Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades), Grace Chanda (Club Querétaro, Mexico), Misozi Zulu (Hibernians, Malta)

Strikers:

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, USA), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Maweta Chilenga, Agness Phiri (Green Buffaloes), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police), Kabanghe Mupopo (Henan WFC, China), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City FC, USA)

Häuptle is already in Lusaka overseeing preparations, with foreign-based players gradually reporting to camp as the Copper Queens intensify their build-up to a crucial continental year.

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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