Zambia U17 Women’s National Team head coach Carol Kanyemba has named a strong 36 member provisional squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025.
Skipper Mercy Chipasula leads the 36 players summoned by coach Carol Kanyemba.
Other notable names include goalkeeper Bukata Kakumbi, Driven Queens defender Lweendo Hanongo, YASA Queens midfield ace Taonga Mubanga, Red Arrows winger Masela Sekeseke and Elite Ladies forward Wendy Mwiikisa.
Defenders Nana Malanda and Natasha Nkaka have also returned to the set up after missing the 2023 World Cup due to injuries.
However England based midfielder Jessica Choolwe Johnson who is on the books of Aston Villa and ZESCO Ndola Girls’ Ruth Mukoma are missing from the squad.
The team will enter camp on Sunday and will be drilled by the Kanyemba led technical bench until next month when the World Cup kicks off.
Zambia opens its account on 19 October against Paraguay at the Football Academy Mohammed V1 before facing Japan three days later at the same venue with the final group match on 25 October.
The Copper Princesses are making a return to the FIFA World Cup for a record third time having been at the biggest showpiece in 2014, 2024 and 2025.
Group F will be based in Salé, which is a city in northwestern Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg River.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Bukata Kakumbia (Police Doves), Loveness Chingwele (Muza Queens), Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly), Gertrude Nkhoma (Young Green Buffaloes), Winfridah Mutale (Elite Ladies)
(DEFENDERS)
Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Natasha Nkaka (Green Eagles Women), Nana Malanda (Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation), Gift Mazimba (Elite Ladies), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows Women), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies), Theresa Mubiana (Amazing Grace), Tabith Nyirenda (Driven Queens)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Taonga Mubanga (Yasa Queens), Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Sharon Siakaloba (Pemba Queens), Taonga Tembo (Young Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwewa (Candice Academy), Brenda Mwewa (Nchanga Queens), Leah Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Faith Kajiya (Elite Ladies), Natasha Chileshe (Zesco Ndola Girls), Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace)
(STRIKERS )
Mercy Chipaula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows Women), Victoria Mbali (Young Green Buffaloes), Hellen Sichamba, Blessings Chiumya, Wendy Mwikisa (all Elite Ladies), Esther Mutinta, Carol Nsondo (both Choma Warriors), Ruth Nakazwe (Bauleni United Sports Academy)
