Belemu, Katongo, Lungu missing as coach Mwape announces Zambia’s final Olympic Games squad

Margaret Belemu, Evarine Katongo, and Irene Lungu are among the notable absentees from the final 22-member squad announced by head coach, Bruce Mwape, for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Mwape revealed the final squad, which included the American-based duo of Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda.

Katongo was sidelined due to injury, while Belemu and Lungu were omitted based on form and footballing reasons.

“We picked players on merit, but those we have left out are due to form,” Mwape stated during a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Eunice Sakala has been selected as a replacement for Chitete Munsaka, who is also out injured.

Red Arrows star Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Green Buffaloes’ Diana Banda, and Esther Muchinga have all made the final cut.

The squad will travel to Paris, France, on Saturday, 6th July, for a pre-tournament camp, where they are set to play two international friendly matches.

The Copper Queens will face the United States on 25th July, followed by a match against Australia. Zambia will then conclude their group stage matches against Germany on 31st July.

Final Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Catherine Musonda (Hapoel Raanana Women FC, Israel), Ngambo Musole Petronella (Green Buffaloes) and Eunice Sakala (INDENI Roses).

Defenders:

Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (both BIIK Kazygurt Shymkent, Kazakhstan), Esther Siamfuko, Diana Banda (both Green Buffaloes), Pauline Zulu (Elite Ladies), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Ndola Girls) and Esther Muchinga (ZANACO Ladies)

Midfielders:

Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride, USA), Misozi Zulu, Hellen Chanda (both Hakkarigucu Spur, Turkey), Rhoda Chileshe (INDENI Roses), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows) and Prisca Chilufya (Club Juarez Femenil, Mexico)

Strikers:

Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, USA),Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC, USA), Kabange Mupopo (Green Buffaloes), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel) and Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Red Arrows)

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