Story by
NWSL's Zambia internationals to miss action due to US CDC restrictions
- Story by
- NWSL's Zambia internationals to miss action due to US CDC restrictions
Zambia women's national team players who helped their country move closer to qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics earlier this month will not be able to enter the United States, the NWSL confirmed Friday, Oct. 16.
The first leg of the two-legged series was played in Kampala, Uganda. Restrictions forbidding anyone from entering the United States after visiting Uganda for 21 days were extended by the Center for Disease Control on Oct. 11 , in a move the order says is "necessary to protect protect public health in the United States from the serious riskposed by the introduction of Ebola disease."
Advertisement
The measures were initially put in place May 18 and have been extended each month since. While Uganda has not reported new domestic transmission of the disease during a 42-day post-outbreak monitoring period, the CDC opted not to change its restrictions.
"Following their participation with the Zambian Women's National Team during the recent international window, several players are currently observing U.S. government public health re-entry protocols required for travelers returning from the East African region," an NWSL spokesperson said in a statement. "The NWSL is working with its clubs and U.S. immigration to ensure the players' safe return; all players are in excellent health."
USA TODAY contacted the CDC for comment, but the agency did not provide an update.
While the players affected have not been listed, a trio of NWSL players suited up for Zambia in both legs. Barbra Banda, who currently sits second in the golden boot standings with 17 goals scored for the Orlando Pride, Racheal Kundananji of the Chicago Stars and Angel City's Prisca Chilufya, all started for the Copper Queens in both matches.
Banda assisted Chilufya for Zambia's only goal in the first leg, a 2-1 loss, then scored twice in the second leg. Natasha Nanyangwe and Eneless Phiri added the other two goals in the 4-1 second-leg win that lifted Zambia to a 5-3 aggregate triumph.
Advertisement
While that result puts Zambia in the next stage of qualification against Ghana in February, enthusiasm may be tempered for the trio, with the long wait now in place to return to the U.S. The Zambia squad exited Uganda on Oct. 9, returning to Lusaka through Ethiopia according to local reports.
It is not clear where the NWSL players are currently or if they attempted to make entry to the U.S. That would make the trio eligible for re-entry to the U.S. on Oct. 30, putting all three players out of action for two NWSL matches and returning barely in time for their regular-season finales.
Banda posted a picture of herself in the Zambia shirt on Instagram early Friday morning with the caption "Always stay locked in."
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL's Zambia internationals to miss action due to US CDC restrictions
