The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team has left for Namibia to compete at the COSAFA U17 Girls’ Championship which will be held in May 10-17 in Windhoek.
The defending COSAFA champions left for Windhoek aboard South African Airlines at 06h50, with coach Carol Kanyemba admitting that defending the trophy comes with a challenge.
“We are going into this tournament as defending champions and we know it will not be easy for because every team that will be playing against us will come with full force. We as the technical bench and players are well prepared, we have told the players not to be complacent,” Kanyemba said.
Kanyemba’s side is on a nine-match winning streak, scoring a striking 48 goals while conceding only four goals in the process.
“We are unbeaten going into this tournament and we have to make sure that we maintain it. The fact that we have been performing well gives the opponents a lot of work to work on and that will be a challenge for us,” Kanyemba said.
“The FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers made the girls gain confidence and experience. We believe that the girls learnt a lot and will be able to use the experience at the COSAFA tournament.”
Zambia opens the tournament in Group B with a mouthwatering clash against Mozambique at Hage Geingob Stadium.
The Copper Princesses are in Group B alongside Mozambique and Mauritius. Group A features hosts Namibia, Malawi and Comoros, while Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe complete Group C.
FINAL 20-MEMBER SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves Queens), Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens)
DEFENDERS
Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation Girls), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows), Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens), Gift Chisha Mazimba, Esther Ngabwe (both Elite Ladies), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Sports Academy), Febby Chewe (Bwacha Pirates), Theresa Mubiana (Play It Forward)
MIDFIELDERS
Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Hellen Misozi Banda (Play It Forward), Precious Mwewa (Candice Girls), Natasha Chileshe (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Natasha Kasema (ZISD Women), Leah Mulenga (Chalube Angels)
STRIKERS
Grace Phiri (Play It Forward), Ruth Mukoma (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace), Janet Chirwa (Young Green Buffaloes)
By FAZ Media
