Zambia’s Soccer Team Adjusts Roster Ahead of Key Tournament
Zambia has made significant roster changes for their upcoming international engagements by excluding four of their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players. The decision, confirmed on Thursday, was influenced by concerns related to travel restrictions concerning the United States.
Key Players Excluded
The Zambia women’s national soccer team, known as the Copper Queens, has dropped Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, and Hellen Mubanga, all from Gotham FC, as well as Ochumba Lubandji of North Carolina Courage from their squad. These changes come as Zambia prepares for friendly matches intended to strengthen the team ahead of important competitions.
Reason Behind the Exclusion
According to Zambia’s coach, Bruce Mwape, the decision to leave out the four NWSL players was primarily due to “extensive USA travel restrictions.” Mwape noted the prolonged process and various complications associated with obtaining necessary travel documents as the main impediment. “The process to secure visas and to comply with current U.S. entry requirements has been becoming increasingly cumbersome,” said Mwape. He further explained, “this situation leads us to start preparation without these key players to ensure the team has ample time to prepare.”
Preparing for Upcoming Competitions
Zambia intends to utilize the upcoming friendly matches to experiment with tactics and integrate other players into the squad. These matches are crucial as they serve as a build-up to more competitive tournaments on the horizon.