By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Zambia U17 women’s coach Carol Kanyemba has challenged the Copper Princesses to rise to the occasion when they open their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 campaign against Japan on Sunday, expressing confidence in her side’s ability to compete against the former champions.
Kanyemba believes the Group D encounter will provide an important measure of Zambia’s progress, with the two sides set to meet for the third consecutive year following previous encounters in 2024 and 2025.
The coach says her players are eager to begin their campaign after weeks of preparation, with the opening fixture offering an opportunity to demonstrate how far the team has developed.
“We look forward to the game. It’s the reason why we’re here, to challenge and to compete. So the first game is here. We’ve been waiting for it. We’ve been training for it,” Kanyemba said.
“Meeting Japan for the third time in a row is a very good test for us because from the first game that we played against them in 2024 to now, I think we should be able to see the change and development that we have as a team. So it’s a good test of our development, and we look forward to it.”
Kanyemba stressed that making a strong start would be crucial to building confidence for the rest of the tournament, although she acknowledged the challenge posed by a Japanese side renowned for its technical quality.
“Definitely, starting strong is the most important thing in a tournament, as it gives us confidence. But as you know, Japan is not an easy team to go by. Equally, Zambia is not an easy team to go by,” she said.
The coach believes her side have prepared adequately for the challenge and has urged her players to translate their work on the training ground into a positive performance on the pitch.
“We’ve done everything right as coaches to prepare our players. We pray that, as we play Japan tomorrow, they do their best, come at their best and deliver for their country,” she said.
Beyond the tactical preparations, Kanyemba has placed considerable emphasis on the psychological aspect of the contest, insisting that self-belief and the right attitude could make the difference against formidable opposition.
The coach says the technical bench has been working to ensure the players approach the tournament with confidence, particularly those experiencing the global stage for the first time.
“Everything is possible in football. No team is bigger than the other. The attitude is what it takes for us to make a difference. It’s not an easy balance to strike, but mentally, verbally, we’ve been talking about it,” she said.
Kanyemba pointed to Zambia’s recent friendly against China as an important learning experience, explaining that the encounter helped the players recognise their ability to compete against highly rated opponents.
“The China game that we played was one of the games that became an eye-opener for the girls to realise what they are able to do at every stage of life. Even as they played against China, it was an indication to show that you are equally as good as your opponents are,” she said.
With a squad combining tournament experience and emerging talent, the coach has also challenged the newcomers to embrace the opportunity and leave their mark in Morocco.
Kanyemba insists that every player in the squad has earned her place and must believe in her ability to contribute to the team’s ambitions.
“We know some players are experienced, some are not experienced, but we do not encourage complacency in the girls. We are encouraging those newcomers to believe in themselves and know that they earned a spot here, and they’ve got what it takes for them to leave this place with a mark,” she said.
She added that the players should approach the tournament without fear, reminding them of the importance of making the most of opportunities to represent their country.
“Legacy is everything in life. You need to leave a mark wherever you go,” Kanyemba said.
The coach has also expressed gratitude for the continued support the team has received from Zambian fans, calling for that backing to continue throughout the tournament.
“We appreciate the support that they’ve always given us, and we look forward to their continued support in this campaign,” she said.
Zambia begin their Group D campaign against Japan on Sunday, October 18, before taking on Venezuela on October 21 and France on October 24.
The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 runs from October 17 to November 7, with the Copper Princesses facing a challenging group that includes two-time champions Japan and former winners France.
This year’s tournament marks Zambia’s fourth appearance at the competition, following previous qualifications in 2014, 2024 and 2025.
The Copper Princesses made history at last year’s edition by progressing beyond the group stage for the first time, reaching the round of 16. Kanyemba’s side will now be determined to build on that achievement as they seek another memorable campaign on the global stage, beginning with a stern test against Japan.
