The Nepal national women’s football team is gearing up for two important competitions in July and October. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced a strong 22-member squad to compete in the Cedars International Women’s Friendly Tournament in Lebanon and the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship.
The Nepal national women’s football team is gearing up for two important competitions in July and October. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has announced a strong 22-member squad to compete in the Cedars International Women’s Friendly Tournament in Lebanon and the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship.
1. Cedars International Women’s Friendly Tournament
This tournament will take place from July 10-16 at the Rashid Karami International Stadium in Tripoli, Lebanon. Nepal will compete against Jordan and Bangladesh. The Lebanese Football Association confirmed the tournament on June 21, and Nepal was assured a spot beforehand.
To prepare, the ANFA held a closed training camp starting on June 2, initially selecting 30 players before finalizing the squad to 22 by June 14. This tournament is a great chance for Nepal, especially after facing these teams recently. Nepal previously defeated Lebanon in the semi-finals of the 8th WAFF Women’s Championship but lost to Jordan in the final via penalties. Additionally, the team faced a setback against Bangladesh in the 6th SAFF Women’s Championship final in 2022.
Head coach Rajendra Tamang expressed confidence in the squad’s abilities as they aim to win their first international trophy. Nepal will begin their campaign against Jordan, providing an opportunity to make up for their previous loss. Their other matches will be against Bangladesh on July 13 and the host country Lebanon on July 16. The top two teams from this round-robin format will qualify for the final.
2. 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship
In addition to the tournament in Lebanon, Nepal is preparing for the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, where they have been placed in Group B alongside Bhutan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The squad for this tournament has been announced, with Angila Tumbapo Subba as captain. Subba will lead a strong lineup that includes key players across all positions.
The goalkeeping lineup includes Anjana Ranamagar and Usha Nath, while the defense features Geeta Rana, Amrita Jaishi, Samikchya Ghimire, Nisha Thokar, Puja Rana, Bimala BK, Hira Kumari Bhujel, and Sajani Thokar. In midfield, the team has talents like Renuka Nagarkoti, Preeti Rai, Saru Limbu, Dipa Shahi, Sabita Rana Magar, Anita Basnet, Amisha Karki, and Bimala Chaudhary. The forwards include Rashmikumari Ghising, Anita KC, Rekha Paudel, and Sabitra Bhandari.
Nepal’s first match in the SAFF Championship will be against Bhutan this Friday, marking an important step in their pursuit of success in the tournament.
