Zambia withdraws four NWSL players from matches in China over United States ‘travel measures'

New York Times

02-04-2025

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has said that four of its internationals who play in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) will not travel to China for upcoming matches.
FAZ said in a statement on Wednesday that Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda will miss the Yongchuan International Tournament due to 'additional travel measures introduced by the new administration' in the United States.
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The New York Times reported this week that President Donald Trump is set to implement new tariffs which could further limit trade between the U.S. and China, increasing tensions between the two countries. In recent months, increased border security in the U.S. has resulted in reports of tourists and legal immigrants being detained. Trump has also signed an executive order to draft a list of countries that 'warrant a partial or full suspension' by the U.S. The New York Times reported that China is not on the list of 43 countries, while the State Department says travelers to mainland China should 'exercise increased caution.'
Reuben Kamanga, the general secretary of the FAZ, said it is in the 'best interest' of the four Zambian players to miss the upcoming friendly matches, based on advice he received from 'key offices', including the United States of America Zambian mission in Washington.
'After working through the process instigated by recently introduced measures it was decided that it is in the best interest of our players to skip this assignment,' Kamanga said. The Zambian embassy in Washington, D.C. did not immediately reply to request for clarification on what measures FAZ was referring to.
The decision was also informed by players' concerns about entry back into the United States, according to a source briefed on the situation.
'(The players) will definitely be available for future assignments as they were for the last window when we played Malawi,' Kamanga said. 'The technical bench has since roped in replacements to ensure that the team remains competitive.'
The NWSL did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication. Representatives for Orlando Pride and Bay FC, where the players play, confirmed the players will not travel to China. The Pride representative stated the same 'additional travel measures' as FAZ for the reasoning.
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Banda, Zambia's captain, is a notable absence given the 25-year-old's goalscoring form since the 2024 season. She scored 17 times as Orlando won the NWSL title last season.
Bay FC's Kundananji and Pride's Chilufya and Chanda, meanwhile, all featured for Zambia in the 2024 Olympic Games. Kamanga emphasized the importance of international games in Zambia's preparations for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations competition in July.
Zambia faces Thailand on Saturday, April 5. They will then face either hosts China or Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff or the Yongchuan International Tournament final three days later.
By women's soccer writer Tamerra Griffin
The absence of the four Zambian NWSL players will be particularly felt by the Copper Queens during the international break — particularly Banda and Kundananji both strikers, who've each begun their second seasons in the league and have been critical to their respective sides.
Last season, Banda finished the regular season with 13 goals, six assists, and a nomination for the NWSL MVP award. Her consistent, dynamic performance ignited the Pride, once an embattled club, on an historic run that earned them the NWSL Shield and a championship, where she scored the team's winning goal and was crowned the MVP of the match. Three games into their 2025 campaign, Banda has already scored twice and contributed an assist for the Pride.
Kundananji, meanwhile, made headlines in the league before her first match with Bay when her $788,000 transfer fee from Madrid CFF in Spain to the San Jose, California-based team set a new world record at the time. The 23-year-old striker recorded five goals and four assists in her NWSL debut season and quickly became a beloved player for the home crowd, known for her cheeky moves and tenacious work rate.
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Chanda, a midfielder, was unable to play for the Pride last season due to injury but has been activated this season. Chilufya, a forward who signed with the Pride in late January from FC Juarez in Mexico, has played 82 minutes for the Pride this season.
(Top photo of Barbra Banda, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)