By Mercy Chewe
Zambia Women National Team captain Barbara Banda says she is excited to return to the Shepolopolo squad after months of absence.
Striker Banda is part of the Zambia squad for the COSAFA Women’s Championship that runs from August 31-11 September in South Africa.
Banda controversially missed the Africa Cup in Morocco over the alleged failure to meet CAF guidelines.
She is expected to feature when Zambia begins the COSAFA Cup campaign on Thursday against Namibia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“I am very happy to be with the team and I am so excited because the morale is very high in camp and everyone is ready for the tournament,” Banda told FAZ Media in South Africa.
“My morale is always high because I always want to be on top of the game. I just have to push hard because I have been out for a long time. This is a very good return for me,” she said.
She wants to help Zambia win the first COSAFA Women Cup.
“The main target for the team is to win the COSAFA Cup because in the past tournament the team has been doing great. We are all in shape, so it is time to carry the COSAFA Cup,” Banda said.
Zambia’s match against Lesotho is on 4 September and Zambia will tackle Eswatini two days later.
