Nepal has announced a 23-member squad for the SAFF Women’s Championship to be held in Goa starting May 26. Goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba will lead the team as captain. Nepal will compete in Group A alongside Bhutan and Sri Lanka, opening their campaign against Bhutan on May 26.
The SAFF Women’s Championship, commencing on May 26 in Goa, India, will feature the Nepali women’s team, officially announced by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). Head coach Navin Nepali has selected the final 23-member squad following a review of 35 players participating in the training camp. Anjila Tumbapo Subba has been appointed captain for this tournament.
Regular captain Sabitra Bhandari, currently undergoing rehabilitation in Qatar after knee surgery for an MCL injury, is unable to participate, resulting in Anjila leading the team again for this championship. Nepal is placed in Group A along with Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The team will play its first match against Bhutan on May 26, followed by the group’s second and final match against Sri Lanka on May 31.
Originally, Nepal’s participation in the championship was uncertain after the Football Players’ Association of Nepal (RANFEP) suspended ANFA. However, following the lifting of ANFA’s suspension by RANFEP on Friday, Nepal’s involvement in the SAFF Championship has been confirmed.
Here is the 23-member Nepali squad:
Goalkeepers: Anjila Tumbapo Subba (Captain), Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath
Defenders: Pooja Rana, Geeta Rana, Bimala Bik, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Pratiksha Chaudhary, Samiksha Ghimire, Nisha Thokar, Sabina Chaudhary
Midfielders: Renuka Nagarkoti, Deepa Shahi, Preeti Rai, Saru Limbu, Birsana Chaudhary, Anita Basnet, Anita Lamjel, Anita KC
Forwards: Rashmi Ghising, Rekha Paudel, Purnima Rai, Meena Deuwa
