Several Zambia internationals are expected to miss multiple weeks of NWSL action because of a 21-day restriction on re-entering the United States after a recent match in Uganda. Zambia played in Uganda on Oct. 8 in the first leg of a series as part of Africa's qualifying event for the 2028 Olympics. The CDC currently bars entry to the U.S. by foreign nationals who have been in Uganda within the past 21 days, due to ongoing concerns about an Ebola outbreak earlier this year.
Barbra Banda of the Orlando Pride, Racheal Kundananji of the Chicago Stars and Prisca Chilufya of Angel City FC all played for Zambia in the match. The NWSL, without naming specific players, said that "all players are in excellent health." Barring government exceptions, their 21-day windows would last until roughly Oct. 30, depending on departure dates after the Oct. 8 match. The NWSL regular season ends Nov. 1.
In a statement issued Friday, the league said several players are observing U.S. public health re-entry protocols required for travelers returning from the East African region. The NWSL is working with its clubs and U.S. immigration to ensure a safe return.
The absences come at a sensitive point in the season. Chilufya's Angel City is trying to clinch its second playoff berth in club history, and she has five goals and one assist in 24 games this year. Banda is the NWSL's second-leading scorer with 17 goals. Orlando is not yet mathematically eliminated but sits nine points back with three games left. Current CDC rules also restrict entry for anyone who was in the Democratic Republic of Congo within 21 days, which affected Ivory Coast's series there. Washington Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi avoided quarantine by joining Ivory Coast for the second leg in Ivory Coast rather than Congo.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing