The Copper Queens have assembled a 29-player provisional squad as preparations intensify for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the team set to travel to Algeria on July 13 for an international training camp that includes friendlies against the hosts on July 19 and 22.
Among the squad is Zanaco Ladies midfielder Blessings Zulu, who captained Zambia’s Under-20 side before earning her first senior call-up. Zulu said preparations were going well and that she had settled in quickly, crediting senior players for welcoming the newcomers into camp. She also pointed to the strong contingent of home-based players as evidence of the growing depth of Zambia’s domestic women’s league.
The camp comes on the back of a busy build-up period for the women’s programme, following the Copper Queens’ recent appearance at the Mukuru Four Nations Tournament and continued investment in the pipeline through age-grade sides, including the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams. With the new KCM sponsorship also directly funding WAFCON preparations, the squad heads into the tournament build-up with a stronger financial base than in previous cycles.
Sources: Lusaka Times — New Copper Queen targets WAFCON place
