{
  "id": 15075718,
  "title": "Zambian NWSL players must wait to return from international duty",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/zambian-nwsl-players-must-wait-to-return-from-international-duty",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T00:06:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/2026/10/16/zambian-nwsl-players-must-wait-to-return-from-international-duty"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three Zambian soccer players for National Women's Soccer League teams face uncertainty in returning to the United States after participating in an international match due to U.S. travel protocols regarding the Ebola outbreak. The players, Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride, Racheal Kundananji of Chicago Stars, and Prisca Chilufya of Angel City, played against Uganda in a two-legged series as part of their preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.\n\nThe first match took place in Uganda, where there were 20 confirmed Ebola cases in the summer of 2021. Zambia suffered a 2-1 loss in the first leg in Kampala, but secured a 4-1 victory in the second leg, advancing to the final with a 5-3 aggregate score. However, the absence of these players is a significant blow to the NWSL season, which has only two regular-season games left before the playoffs.\n\nThe United States has mandated a 21-day quarantine for travelers who have been in the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. This situation arose after the Ebola outbreak was declared in mid-May, originating in a remote area of eastern Congo. As of late June 2021, Zambia had reported 9,066 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,381 deaths. In recent news, Kenya reported an Ebola case imported from Congo.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Three Zambian NWSL players face uncertainty returning from international duty.",
    "Players played against Uganda in 2028 Olympics preparation.",
    "U.S. mandates 21-day quarantine for travelers from Congo, Uganda, South Sudan."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Strict U.S. travel protocols regarding the Ebola outbreak threaten the competitive balance of the NWSL playoffs by sidelining key international talent during the final stretch of the regular season.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Zambian NWSL players must wait to return from international duty",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/zambian-nwsl-players-must-wait-to-return-from-international-duty-15075996",
        "published": "2026-10-17T00:05:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}