Under-17 Women National Team Coach Carol Kanyemba says the team will reciprocate the support given to them by FAZ with a good performance at the FIFA Women World Cup in Morocco.
Speaking before departure for Casablanca where the Copper Princesses will set up a 14-day pre-tournament camp, Kanyemba says she is happy with the high-level friendly matches that FAZ has organized for the team.
“We want to appreciate the support that everyone is giving us and we promise that the Association’s support that they have given unto us, we are going to work hard and be able to bring back and promising results,” she says.
FAZ has secured three international friendly matches as part of preparation for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025.
Kanyemba says she has picked the best performing players led by skipper Mercy Chipasula who scored six goals in qualification for the World Cup.
“So far the preparations have been going on well despite the minor injuries that that we have in camp that are still being managed. But we believe that we have carried the best team,” she says.
“We are happy for the confirmed friendlies that have been lined up for us that will be able to help us gauge the level at which our team is.”
Kanyemba has named a 21-member final squad with three more players on standby given the rigours of a 24-team tournament.
The ninth edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be played between 17 October and 8 November.
This will be the first time the competition is contested by 24 teams: four from AFC, five from CAF (including Morocco), four from Concacaf, four from CONMEBOL, five from UEFA, and two from OFC.
Morocco will be the first country on the African continent and just the second Arab country to host the tournament.
Zambia’s opening match is on 19 October against Paraguay at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) in Sale before facing Japan three days later at the same venue.
Their final game will be against New Zealand at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2).
Top two teams in each group will qualify to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Zambia has qualified to three world cups at under-17 level for the women from 2014, 2024 and 2025.
FINAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Loveness Chingwele (MUZA Queens), Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly)
(DEFENDERS)
Nana Malanda (Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation), Natasha Nkaka (Green Eagles), Tabitha Nyirenda, Lweendo Hanongo (both Driven Queens), Gift Mazimba, Esther Ngabwe (both Elite Ladies), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy),
(MIDFIELDERS)
Taonga Mubanga (Yasa Queens), Sharon Siakaloba (Pemba Queens), Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Blessings Chiumya (Elite Ladies)
(STRIKERS)
Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Faith Kajiya (Elite Ladies), Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Victoria Mbali (Young Green Buffaloes), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows)
(STANDBY PLAYERS)
Precious Mwewa (Candice Academy), Carol Nsondo (Choma Warriors) and Hellen Sichamba (Elite Ladies)
