Zambia Womens National Team coach Bruce Mwape has bemoaned the absence of inspirational skipper Misozi Zulu in the squad but says that he has set his mind of possible replacements.

Zulu’s absence in the squad is due to an injury that she sustained during the COSAFA Castle Cup in South Africa and was still recovering.

In an interview with Goal Diggers! Mwape admitted that the entire squad could not pretend that it did not feel Zulu’s absence and took comfort in other players that would assume her role in the squad.

“We have already looked for a replacement, we just have to assess the players that we have called. The players and us on the technical bench obviously feel her absence but we need to let her recover fully,” Mwape said.

Mwape also described the group that Shepolopolo was put in as fair.

“Looking at the opponents in our group, I think I can say it is a fair draw, although we are playing the defending champions. We are ready for any team. Even if we were put in the other group it would have meant the same thing because we would have had to meet each and every team if we have to go up to the final stage or reach the final,” noted Mwape.

Zambia has been placed in Group B alongside defending champions Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

The tournament takes place from November 17 to December 1 and the top three teams will qualify for the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.