The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team, the Copper Princesses will start their COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship title defense this Saturday against Mozambique.
Zambia and Mozambique will clash in Group B at the Hage Geingob Stadium in the opening game of the COSAFA Under-17 Girls’ Championship to be played in Windhoek, Namibia from May 10-17.
Saturday’s fixture will kick-off at 12h00 CAT and will be live on FIFA+.
The Copper Princesses recently secured their slot at the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup after seeing off Benin 6-2 on aggregate.
The Carol Kanyemba coached outfit is already in camp and started preparations for the regional showpiece on Sunday.
Defender Natasha Nkaka who is still sidelined due to injury will again miss out while Green Buffaloes defender Nana Malanda returns after recovering from injury.
Captain Mercy Chipasula who was the top goalscorer at last year’s showpiece with 13 goals, Lweendo Hanongo, Hellen Sichamba, Masela Sekeseke, Victoria Mbali, and Loveness Chingwele will miss the tournament but will be key in Zambia’s U17 World Cup squad.
The six players are not eligible for the regional showpiece but will be back for the World Cup set for October.
Aston Villa youth midfielder Jessica Choolwe Johnson has been excused to attend to her final year school commitments.
Kanyemba has still returned a good number of players who played in the World Cup qualifiers with notable names like young Faith Kaunda, goalkeeper Bukata Kakumbi, Luyando Foundation Girls defender Precious Mwape, enterprising defensive midfielder Taonga ‘Big Six’ Mubanga, Hellen Banda, Ruth Mukoma, Grace Phiri.
The Copper Princesses, who are the most successful nation in Southern Africa are in Group B alongside Mozambique and Mauritius.
Group A has hosts Namibia, Malawi and Comoros while Group C comprises Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
