23/09/2025
HAZEL NALI RETURNS AS HÄUPTLE UNVEILS 42-PLAYER SQUAD FOR WAFCON QUALIFIERS AGAINST NAMIBIA
By Mike Jovic Mwendachabe
Zambia Women’s National Team head coach Nora Häuptle has named a 42-member provisional squad for next month’s 2026 Morocco Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final round qualifiers against Namibia, with experienced goalkeeper Hazel Nali making a much-anticipated return to the national team fold.
Nali, who plays for Zesco Ndola Girls, has recovered from a lengthy injury layoff and is back in the squad as Zambia eyes qualification for the continental showpiece. The return of the 2018 WAFCON standout provides a significant boost to the Copper Queens’ goalkeeping department ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
Nali joins a strong group of goalkeepers that includes Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Agness Banda (Nchanga Queens), and Green Buffaloes duo Ng’ambo Musole and Chishala Mufunte. Annie Namoonje (Zesco Ndola Girls) and Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses) complete the list of seven shot-stoppers named in the provisional squad.
Häuptle has cast her net wide for the two-legged qualifier, calling up a blend of seasoned internationals, local league performers, and emerging young talent. Among the notable inclusions are red-hot Zesco Ndola Girls forward Eneles Phiri, Kamfinsa Police speedster Mercy Chipasula, and Israel-based attacker Rachael Nachula, who is currently in the country and will feature in the local camp.
Promising Under-20 players Chishala Mufunte and Margaret Gondwe have also been included but will join the team after their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Burundi this weekend in Ndola.
Foreign-based Copper Queens stars are expected to join the squad during the final stages of preparation, once the FIFA international window opens on October 20.
The first leg of the final round WAFCON qualifier will take place on October 22 at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, a neutral venue due to Namibia’s lack of a FIFA-a