The Zambia Senior Women National Team kickoff their FIFA Series campaign against Canada this afternoon (Saturday) at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, Brazil at 15h00 local time (21h00 Zambian time).
Assistant coach Charles Haalubono will lead the Copper Queens on this assignment which is a preparatory tournament for the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The match will be the first ever meeting between ninth ranked Canada and Zambia who sit 66th on the global charts.
The FIFA Series presents an opportunity for the crop of youngsters that have been roped in from their FIFA U17 World Cup experience and some veterans that have world cup, Olympics and WAFCON experience under their belts.
Haalubono can count on the experience of some of the players that were at Zambia’s debut FIFA World Cup in 2023 like Margaret Belemu, Catherine Musonda, Agness Musesa, Susan Banda and Hazel Nali.
There could be a part role for late arrivals like skipper Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, Grace Chanda, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba and Irene Lungu whose travel delayed due to some logistical hitches.
The Canada game also presents an exciting prospect for emerging stars that have already tucked some junior level FIFA World Cup experience like Mercy Chipasula, Blessings Maluba and Chishala Mufunte. Other youngsters that have earned their place are Saliya Mwanza, Margaret Gondwe and Agness Phiri.
Canada coach Casey Stoney has selected a group that builds on the continuity established earlier this year, with 18 players returning from the SheBelieves Cup. Most notably, veteran defender Kadeisha Buchanan returns to the squad for the first time since October 2024 following a long-term injury, bringing more than 150 caps of international experience.
The team also welcomes back goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, defender Jayde Riviere, and forward Olivia Smith, all returning after missing the February window due to injury. Canada’s three goalkeepers selected for this series are Melissa Dagenais of Ottawa Rapid FC, Sabrina D’Angelo from Aston Villa Women, and Kailen Sheridan of North Carolina Courage.
The defenders selected are Kadeisha Buchanan from Chelsea FC, Sydney Collins and Brooklyn Courtnall of Bay FC,Vanessa Gilles of FC Bayern Munich, Ashley Lawrence of OL Lyonnes, Jayde Riviere of Manchester United WFC, Jade Rose of Manchester City WFC, and Janine Sonis of Denver Summit FC.
After playing Canada, Zambia will face Brazil on Tuesday before winding up with a clash against Korea on Saturday.