COPPER QUEENS CHASE WORLD CUP TICKET
Report by Enock Phiri – Zambia will target glory in Kenya when the Copper Queens travel to Nairobi for the Africa Netball World Cup Qualifiers, with the ultimate prize being qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.
Head coach Lazarous Tembo has trimmed his squad to 12 players from the 20-member provisional group that has been training at the NAPSA Sports Complex ahead of the tournament scheduled for September 19–26, 2026.
Experienced shooter Beauty Nakazwe will captain the side as Zambia seeks to secure a place at the global showpiece.
Tembo will be hoping his charges can reproduce the fighting spirit that helped Zambia win the 2023 Africa Netball Cup title in Botswana.
The Nairobi assignment is expected to provide a tougher challenge, with leading African netball nations, including Uganda and Malawi, also targeting qualification.
Assistant coach Robina Chibebe said the team is ready for the assignment and believes the players will give their best in Kenya.
“The girls are doing fine, they are training, they are ready. They are ready to perform in Kenya. We are going to perform well,” Chibebe said.
She acknowledged the strength of the opposition Zambia will face, particularly Uganda and Malawi, but said the team would fight for one of the qualification places.
“Yes, we are going to try. We are going to try,” she said.
Chibebe said the team was aware of the expectations from supporters, who want Zambia to qualify for the World Cup and compete strongly for continental honours.
“The fans are waiting for us to qualify for the World Cup and to win the Africa Cup. But we will try our all means so that we can do it,” she said.
Tembo has selected a blend of experience and emerging talent, with the defensive unit expected to provide a solid foundation while the midcourt controls possession and creates opportunities for the shooters.
Nakazwe will lead the shooting department alongside Elizabeth Bwalya and Memory Mushanga, with efficiency under the post likely to be crucial against the continent’s stronger sides.
ZAMBIA’S 12-MEMBER SQUAD
DEFENDERS
Memory Musonda
Esther Kunda
Idah Namonje
Faustina Mundia
Mule Mukela
MIDCOURT
Harriet Muchuma
Grace Sakala
Justina Mwale
Patricia Mukuni
SHOOTERS
Elizabeth Bwalya
Beauty Nakazwe — Captain
Memory Mushanga
With the squad now confirmed, the Copper Queens will shift their focus to Nairobi and the battle for qualification to Sydney 2027.
