Nepal on Thursday announced a final 23-member squad for the upcoming Women’s Four Nations Cup, which is set to take place from February 17-26 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.

The Nepal national women’s football team will commence their campaign against Kyrgyzstan on February 17 at Dasharath Stadium. The tournament opener will see Lebanon take on Myanmar on the same day. Nepal will then face Lebanon on February 20 before concluding their round-robin fixtures against Myanmar on February 23. The top two teams from the league stage will advance to the final, set for February 26.

Head coach Rajendra Tamang unveiled the final squad under captain and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba including Mana Maya Damai and Sushma Tamang Hamal in the national team for the first time.

Chandra Bhandari and Renuka Hamal have also returned to the squad.

Hira Bhujel, Dipa Shahi, Amisha Karki and Sajani Thokar could not make it to the squad.

All four players were part of Nepal's squad in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 in Kathmandu where they narrowly missed out on their first international trophy after losing to Bangladesh 2-1 in the final.

Coach Tamang had announced his resignation after the final loss but returned to helm for the tournament.

Bhujel and Shahi are currently recovering from injuries sustained during the championship, while Tribhuvan Army Club’s Karki was unable to join the squad due to her internal training.

Nepal’s all-time top goal scorer Sabitra Bhandari, who plays for French top-flight club En Avant Guingamp, will spearhead the front line alongside Rekha Paudel, who is with Abu Dhabi Country Club in the United Arab Emirates, ANFA Women’s League’s top scorer Rashmi Kumari Ghising.

Subba, the team’s captain, is another player competing in an overseas league, featuring for Greek A Division club Nees Atromitou.

Midfield maestro Preeti Rai, widely regarded as Nepal’s finest playmaker, will be joined by Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar, Anita Basnet, and Renuka Nagarkoti in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Gita Rana will marshal the defensive line alongside Amrita Jaishi, Bimala BK, Nisha Thokar, and Puja Rana

Nepal squad

Goalkeepers: Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath

Defenders: Amrita Jaishi, Gita Rana, Bimala BK, Puja Rana, Nisha Thokar, Samikshya Ghimire, Bimala Chaudhary, Man Maya Damai

Midfielders: Anita Basnet, Renuka Nagarkote, Preeti Rai, Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar, Renuka Hamal, Sushma Tamang

Forwards: Sabitra Bhandari, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Chandra Bhandari, Anita KC, Rekha Paudel