By Angela Bambala Bwalya
Zambia U17 defender Beatrice Njobvu has urged the Copper Princesses to remain focused and work together as they prepare to open their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 campaign against Japan on Sunday.
Njobvu believes a positive result in their opening Group D fixture will provide the team with the confidence and direction needed as they seek to build on their historic run to the round of 16 at last year’s tournament.
Preparations have been progressing well, according to the defender, although the team has had to adapt to the hot weather conditions in Morocco after training in Zambia’s cooler climate.
“The preparations are going well. As a team, we are working together. Zambia was a bit cold, but here it is very hot. We have been training a lot in the morning, but the morning sun here feels the same as the afternoon sun,” Njobvu said.
The defender stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start, insisting that the opening match could prove decisive in shaping Zambia’s campaign.
“Our group is just okay. If we win the first game, the rest will be easy because the first game will show us where we are going. We just have to focus and win our first game,” she said.
Njobvu will also draw on her experience from last year’s tournament, where she featured in two matches before an injury forced her to miss the remainder of the competition.
The young defender is determined to make the most of another opportunity on the global stage and believes Zambia can approach the contest against Japan with a degree of familiarity with their opponents.
“Last year, I played two games. In the second game, I got an injury, so I did not finish the rest. I just want to focus and enjoy this game because I have experience, since I was there last year. We have an idea of how Japan plays. We just need to communicate as a team,” she said.
With communication and collective effort identified as key to their chances, Njobvu has called on Zambian supporters to continue backing the team as the Copper Princesses prepare for the challenge ahead.
“The fans just have to support us. The morale should be high. We will deliver,” she said.
Zambia have been drawn in Group D alongside Japan, France and Venezuela, with the Copper Princesses aiming to navigate a challenging group and secure a place in 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.
Although the Copper Princesses had appeared at the tournament on two previous occasions, it was last year’s campaign that saw them make history by progressing beyond the group stage for the first time, reaching the round of 16.
Coach Carol Kanyemba’s side will be hoping to build on that landmark achievement as they begin their latest World Cup journey against Japan on Sunday, with a positive opening result potentially setting the tone for another memorable campaign.
