The Zambia U-17 Women’s National Team produced a dominant display on Saturday afternoon, thrashing DR Congo 5-0 in the first leg of the second round of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
A hat-trick from Natasha Kasema and additional goals from Grace “Pogba” Phiri and substitute Blessings Mutale handed the Copper Princesses a commanding advantage ahead of next weekend’s return leg in Lubumbashi.
Zambia started brightly but were briefly tested early on, with goalkeeper Bukata Kakumbi forced into a superb save to deny DR Congo before the hosts settled into their rhythm.
The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Grace “Pogba” Phiri fired Zambia ahead, capping off a lively opening spell from the home side.
Natasha Kasema doubled the advantage four minutes before the break, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Faith Kaunda was brought down inside the area.
Carol Kanyemba’s side carried their momentum into the second half and needed just five minutes after the restart to extend their lead. Kasema struck again with a superb long-range effort to make it 3-0.
The forward completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute with a close-range finish as Zambia continued to overwhelm the visitors.
Substitute Blessings Mutale wrapped up an emphatic victory deep into stoppage time after Fridah Ndashe won another penalty.
The second leg will be played on May 31 at Frederic Kibassa Maliba Stadium in Lubumbashi, with the aggregate winner set to face either Ethiopia or Burundi in the final round of qualifying.
Ethiopia host Burundi in the first leg of their tie on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
Zambia 5-0 DR Congo
(Grace “Pogba” Phiri 23’, Natasha Kasema 41’ pen, 50’, 64’, Blessings Mutale 90+6’)
