Zambia Women's World Cup 2023 squad: Who's in & who's out?

Faith Vatan Spor's Hazel Nali is tipped to start in Zambia's line-up for their first game against Japan. Nali has been a constant starter in Mwape's eleven and she will be expected to command her defense with great authority.

The 25-year-old operates with a creative and offensive style of play and would be crucial if Zambia want to create attacks from the back. Although Nali's form isn't great heading into the World Cup having conceded 12 goals in her previous 4 fixtures, she has the perfect opportunity to silence her doubters at the showpiece event.

Catherine Musonda and Eunice Sakala are the other backup options for the Copper Queens if they feel the need to make any last-minute tweaks heading into the World Cup.

The Zambian side have quite a young squad in each department but their defence is one place where fans can expect to see some experience on the pitch. Mwape has opted to pick a catalogue of young players in his backline having selected a vast number of defenders in his final roster.

Agness Musase and Lushoma Mweemba are touted to be the leading centre-back partnership owing to their exploits in their native league. The duo could prove influential against opposite attackers especially as Zambia are placed in a group consisting of Spain.

 The explosive and powerful duo of Margaret Blemu and Marta Tembo would be seen guarding the defense on either side of Musase and Mweemba. Shanghai Shengli's star Margaret Blemu will not shy away from galloping down her flank to turn defence into attacks and help her midfielders put pressure on their rivals.

The likes of Vast Phiri and Esther Banda are names that add depth to Zambia's defense. While Judith Soko and Mary Mulenga would be pushing for a spot in the eleven as all of them play their trades in their native leagues and would be vying to glorify Zambia's name on the biggest stage in Women's football.

Mwape chooses to field a double-pivot in the centre of the park to provide ample defensive cover while also enabling the transition of defensive gameplays into attacking movements. Red Arrows' midfield star Mary Wilombe would be seen partnering up with KISD Women's Evarine Susan Katongo.

A perfect mixture of leadership qualities and youth, the duo can command the game for Zambia. Another name who can be seeded in the pivot alongside either Wilombe or Katonga is 25-year-old Avell Chitundu.

The most experienced player in Zambia's squad is 28-year-old Hellen Mubanga. The Zaragoza midfielder has already proved her worth in Spain and could bring a sense of composure and calmness to a young team.

Mary Wilombe's club teammate, Susan Banda is another name who could be given a run in Australia and New Zealand by the manager.

Despite a strong backline and a double-pivot system in midfield, Zambia's biggest threat to their opposition would be their attacking department. Shanghai Shengli's goal-scoring machine and Zambia's captain Babra Banda will have a massive responsibility on her shoulders to find the back of the net on several occasions.

Banda had bagged 22 goals in 10 games for the Chinese side this season and is in red-hot form in front of goal. Real Madrid's stars Grace Chanda and Rachael Kundananji would operate on either side of Banda and would be seen darting down the flanks with their electrifying pace.

The duo can chip in with crucial goals and have been labelled 'frightening talents' by many defenders who have crossed swords with the wingers. The Madrid prodigies would also be seen providing wide support to their midfielder enabling them to garner space for them to gallop from the centre of the pitch.

20-year-old talent Xiomara Mapepa and Red Arrows' forward Ochumba Lubandji will provide for a scintillating bench strength for the African nation at the World Cup.

Experienced campaigner Hazel Nali is tipped to start between the sticks for Zambia despite her poor form running into the World Cup.

The big question for Mwape would be finding the perfect defensive structure considering Zambia has conceded 20 goals in their previous 4 outings with South Korea thrashing them 5-0 in April.

Nali will be accompanied by a back-four consisting of BIIK Shymkent’s left-back Martha Tembo, centre-backs Agness Musase and Lushomo Mweemba, with the young Margaret Belemu at right-back. Mweemba would play a pivotal role in organising the backline and keeping them at bay from any adversities

The double-pivot role will be occupied by Mary Wilombe and Evarine Katongo who'll provide the Copper Queens with the much-needed mixture of youth, energy, and experience heading into their maiden World Cup.

Rachael Kundananji and Xiomara Mapepawill be donning the flanks running up and down and providing space to their midfield while also darting in dangerous positions. The two strikers up-front would be Grace Chanda and Zambia's biggest threat Barbra Banda.

Banda's scintillating goals-coring record this season could serve to be integral in their hopes of making it out of the group stage.

Zambia XI (4-3-3): Nali; Belemu, Mweemba, Musase, Tembo; Kundanji, Wilombe, Katonga, Mapepa; Chanda, Banda

The Copper Queens don't have a long list of absentees and are prepared to take on any challenge lying in front of them. Veteran defender Lushomo Mweemba did have an injury scare before the start of the tournament, but the 25-year-old has been shortlisted to travel to Australia by her manager.

Untested midfielders Rhoda Chileshe and Maylan Mulenga are two names who failed to make it to the final squad owing to their lack of experience playing for the national squad.

With the likes of Banda, Chanda, and Kundananji already leading Zambia's forward battery it was always difficult for Comfort Selemani, Ochumba Oseke, and Regina Chanda to make the final cut.