By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Zambia U17 forward Agness Mwaka says the Copper Princesses are determined to make a winning start at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, insisting that teamwork, communication and hard work will be crucial when they face Japan in their opening Group D fixture on Sunday.
Mwaka says preparations have been progressing well, with the players gradually adapting to Morocco’s hot weather as they settle into the demands of the tournament.
“We are training very well. We are already used to staying here, though the sun is very hot,” she said.
With Japan standing between Zambia and a positive start to their campaign, the forward believes the team must give everything on the pitch and work collectively to secure victory.
“With the Japan game, we just have to do everything we can. We need to communicate and work together so that we win that game,” Mwaka said.
Beyond the immediate challenge of facing Japan, the tournament represents a significant personal milestone for the young forward, whose journey to the international stage has been driven by determination and a willingness to work hard.
Mwaka revealed that she remained committed to improving her game as she sought to progress from a smaller club to a bigger team before eventually earning a place in the national team.
“I used to work very hard so that I could move from a small team to a big team and even get a chance to be with the national team,” she said.
The World Cup is Mwaka’s first, and the forward admits that reaching the global stage is a dream she had not expected to fulfil so soon.
She says the achievement has strengthened her determination to improve, drawing inspiration from friends who had already reached similar heights.
“This is my first time coming to the World Cup. I feel very happy. I was not even expecting to be here. It has motivated me to work hard. I got inspired by my friends, and I knew that I would also get there one day,” she said.
Mwaka has also sent a message of confidence to Zambian supporters, promising that the Copper Princesses will fight for positive results throughout the group stage.
“To our supporters, we will make you happy by winning our first game and the rest of the games,” she said.
Zambia have been drawn in Group D alongside Japan, France and Venezuela, presenting a challenging test for coach Carol Kanyemba’s side as they seek to progress to the knockout stages.
The 2026 tournament marks Zambia’s fourth appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, following previous qualifications in 2014, 2024 and 2025.
The Copper Princesses made history at last year’s edition by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time, reaching the round of 16. They will now be aiming to build on that achievement as they embark on another campaign on the global stage.
For Mwaka, however, the immediate priority is clear: help Zambia overcome Japan, make a winning start and give the country another reason to believe in the next generation of women’s football talent.
