The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team edged Tanzania 1-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday to seal a place in the third and final round of qualifiers for the 2025 Morocco World Cup.
Coach Carol Kanyemba made one change from the team that beat Tanzania 3-0 away by introducing Pemba Queens Sharon Siakaloba in place of Lilian Mwenda.
The match was a cagey affair for the majority of the 90 minutes and not helped by the heavy downpour just before kick off.
Mercy Chipasula was a menace just from the onset while Hellen and Sharon struggled a bit in Midfield.
Natasha Nkaka came close before the 20 minute mark with a long range shot that ricocheted off the crossbar.
Mercy Chipasula also had a free kick parried out before Ruth Mukoma saw her effort go wide off Hamisi Jafari’s goal.
The match went to the break level at 0-0 with Zambia leading 3-0 on aggregate.
In the second stanza Zambia needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock as Natasha Nkaka’s long range free kick went through without any touch after everyone failed to connect with it, 1-0.
Masela Sekeseke who came on to replace Sharon Siakaloba looked lively joining Mercy and Ruth in tormenting Tanzania.
The Tanzanian had a rare chance ten minutes to time which fell to Steven Kizanguzi but her shot missed Bukata Kakumbi’s goal by inches.
Zambia will face West African side Benin in the third and final round. The two legged ties have been set for the second half of April.
