EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsZambia international players are expected miss several weeks of NWSL games due to a 21-day restriction on reentering the United States following 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 bans entry to the U.S. by foreign nationals who have been in Uganda in the past 21 days, due to ongoing concerns around an Ebola outbreak earlier this year.- Columbus NWSL expansion club names Lucy Rushton as GM- NWSL, USL Super League to face off in new women's cup competition- NWSL leaders Gotham lose Dudley, Bruninha for playoffsOrlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, Chicago Stars forward Racheal Kundananji and Angel City FC forward Prisca Chilufya all played for Zambia in the match.The NWSL, while not naming specific players, said in a statement that "all players are in excellent health."Barring government intervention granting exceptions, those players' 21-day windows for reentry to the United States would last until roughly Oct. 30 -- depending on their departure date after the Oct. 8 match. The final day of the NWSL regular season is Nov. 1.The NWSL issued the following statement on Friday:"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."The NWSL is working with its clubs and U.S. immigration to ensure the players' safe return; all players are in excellent health."Chilufya plays for a surging Angel City team that is trying to clinch its second playoff berth in club history. She has five goals and one assist in 24 games this season.Kundananji was traded from Bay FC to the Chicago Stars last week before the NWSL's roster freeze. Chicago is in last place and already eliminated from the playoffs.Banda is the second-leading scorer in the NWSL with 17 goals this season. Orlando is not yet mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the Pride are nine points back with three games left and would be officially eliminated this weekend if only one of several unfavorable results occurs.Current CDC governance also restricts entry into the United States by anybody who was in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days.Ivory Coast played in DR Congo in the first of their two-game series earlier this month.Washington Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi plays for Ivory Coast but was not released by the Washington Spirit to travel to Congo for the first leg. Kouassi joined her national team in Ivory Coast for the second leg, avoiding quarantine requirements, and traveled back to Washington this week.There are three weeks left in the NWSL regular season before the playoffs begin in November.
