Copper Princesses head coach Carol Kanyemba has named a strong 25-member squad to enter camp on Saturday in preparations for the 2025 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship.
The team will be preparing for the regional showpiece set to take place in Namibia from May 10th to May 17th.
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.
THE SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves Queens), Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens), Harriet Tembo (Misisi Queens Academy)
DEFENDERS
Nana Malanda (Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation Girls), Theresa Mubiana (Play It Forward), Esther Ngabwe, Gift Chisha Mazimba (both Elite Ladies), Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves Queens), Febby Chewe (Bwacha Pirates), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy)
MIDFIELDERS
Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Hellen Misozi Banda (Play It Forward), Natasha Kasema (ZISD Women), Lean Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Precious Mwewa (Candice Girls), Janet Chirwa (Young Green Buffaloes), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows)
STRIKERS
Grace Phiri (Play It Forward), Ruth Mukoma, Natasha Chileshe (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Rudrah Longo (MoPeace), Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace), Caroline Nsondo (Choma Warriors)
