October 20 – Three Zambian internationals are likely to miss several weeks of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season after traveling to Uganda for the Olympic qualifiers, prompting a 21-day re-entry restriction to the United States.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is barring foreign nationals who have recently been to parts of East Africa, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, from entering the US because of an Ebola outbreak in the region. Zambia played the first leg in Uganda on October 8 before finishing the tie at home on Tuesday, winning 5-3 on aggregate.
“Several players are currently observing the US government’s public health re-entry protocols required for travelers returning from the East African region,” an NWSL spokesperson told The Athletic. The league said it is “working with its clubs and US immigration to ensure the safe return of players”, adding that “all players are in excellent health”.
The NWSL did not name the players, but Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, Chicago Stars forward Racheal Kundananji and Angel City’s Prisca Chilufya played both legs. Chilufya was listed as an excused absence on Friday.
Without a waiver, the restriction is lifted around October 30. The regular season ends on November 1st.
The weather hurts several teams. Banda, the Zambia captain, has 17 goals in 23 games and is three behind Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez of the North Carolina Courage, although Orlando is nine points off the playoff spots with three games remaining. Angel City is sixth with 43 points, unbeaten in seven, with two points covering the last four playoff spots. Chilufya is their fourth highest scorer with five goals. Kundananji, loaned to Chicago from Bay FC last week, may have to wait until 2027 to make his debut for an already eliminated Stars team.
The Washington Spirit avoided the problem. Striker Rosemonde Kouassi did not travel with Ivory Coast for their first leg in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the club said she was separated from teammates who had. He is available for Saturday’s game against league leaders Gotham FC at Audi Field, with third-placed Spirit six points behind and needing a win to stay in the Shield race.
