Banda, Four Others Join Copper Queens Camp

Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda and four other foreign-based players have joined the Zambia Senior Women’s National Team camp in Kampala ahead of Thursday’s first-leg 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifier against Uganda.

Defenders Margaret Belemu, Martha Tembo and Lushomo Mweemba, together with midfielder Ireen Lungu, have linked up with the 17 locally based players who travelled to Uganda earlier.

The five players are among eight foreign-based players called up by interim head coach Charles Haalubono for the two-legged Olympic qualifying assignment.

Their arrival further strengthens the squad ahead of the opening encounter. Racheal Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Mercy Chipasula are expected to join the team tomorrow.

Zambia will face Uganda on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. Kick-off is set for 16:00 hours local time, which is 15:00 hours in Zambia.

The encounter will be the first of two meetings between the sides, with Zambia looking to secure a positive result away from home before the return leg.

The Copper Queens will travel to Ndola immediately after Thursday’s match for the second leg as they continue their bid to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.