WAFCON: Grace Chanda joins Zambia squad for preps in Algeria
📅 July 17, 2026
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👤 Kabuma Node
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📁 WAFCON
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🕑 3 min read
Mexico-based midfielder Grace Chanda has joined the Copper Queens camp in Algiers, Algeria, to be part of the final phase of preparations for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Chanda arrived at Houari Boumediene International Airport on Thursday morning before linking up with the squad at the team hotel in Algiers.
The Copper Queens are in Algeria for the final leg of their WAFCON preparations and will face the Algeria Women’s National Team in an international friendly on Sunday.
The match will kick off at 20h00 local time in Algiers. The Copper Queens will remain in Algeria for their final preparations before travelling to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will begin their campaign for continental honours.
Zambia is in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi.
The Copper Queens will open their account on 28 July against Egypt before facing Nigeria 1 August and conclude with a tussle with the Scorchers of Malawi four days later.
Top four teams at the WAFCON will qualify to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year.
(GOALKEEPERS); Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls).
(DEFENDERS); Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula (both Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club-Saudi Arabia), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey).
(MIDFIELDERS); Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Queretaro-Mexico), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames-Saudi Arabia), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo (Ra’anana Women’s FC-Israel), Ireen Lungu (Sichua-China).
(STRIKERS); Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City-USA), Mercy Chipasula, Eneless Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan-China), Kabange Mupopo (Liaoning Shenbel Hefeng-China), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Quanzhou Naan-China).
