U.S.-based copper queens quartet, Banda, Kundananji, Chanda, Chilufya to miss China tournament. Here’s why

The United States-based quartet of the Zambia Women National Team will not participate in the 2025 Yangchuan International Tournament in China, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced.

The four players – Captain Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda – were unable to travel due to additional measures introduced by the US administration.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAZ General-Secretary, Reuben Kamanga, confirmed that the players would be available for future assignments and that replacements had been made to ensure the team remained competitive.

Kamanga said acting on the advice of key offices among them the United States of America Zambian mission in Washington and the two clubs for the players, adding that the best decision was to withdraw the players from the China assignment.

“I wish to confirm that the Orlando Pride trio of Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya as well as Rachael Kundananji of Bay FC will not be available for the two international friendly matches in China. After working through the process instigated by recently introduced measures it was decided that it is in the best interest of our players to skip this assignment.

“They will definitely be available for future assignments as they were for the last window when we played Malawi. The technical bench has since roped in replacements to ensure that the team remains competitive,” he said.

The Copper Queens will still participate in the tournament, kicking off against Thailand on April 5.

A win would secure them a spot in the final on April 8 against either hosts China PR or Uzbekistan.

Kamanga added, “It is our desire to give all our teams participating in international competitions the best preparations. The bigger picture is to ensure that the Copper Queens are ready for the WAFCON in July just like we have done for the under-17 boys currently in Morocco for the AFCON.”

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