Southern Africa’s best player in the last two years Saliya Mwanza and U17 skipper Mercy Chipasula have joined the U20 National team camp to beef up the side ahead of this weekend’s crucial World Cup qualifier, the ZamFoot Crew has learned.
The Zambia U20 National team technical bench has beefed up their squad ahead of the return leg for the second round FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 qualifier against Burundi.
Mwanza who has been named COSAFA U20 player of the tournament in the last two editions missed out on the first leg while Mercy Chipasula was in camp with the Copper Princesses.
The Charity Nthala led bench has also roped in Green Buffaloes defender Nana Malanda and Nchanga Rangers Queens midfield ace Mapalo Maluba.
However the ZamFoot Crew understands that Malanda and Chipasula are carrying knocks and are not 100 percent fit at the moment and will need to pass late fitness tests to be able to play on Saturday.
The Young Copper Queens beat Burundi 2-1 away in Bujumbura with goals from goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte from the spot and Ruth Muwowo.
The return leg is set for Saturday, September 27th at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Tickets have gone on sale at all ShopRite stores countrywide via Computicketing.
The winner over two legs will qualify to the third round to face Uganda who beat Namibia 5-0 on aggregate.
The 2026 U20 World Cup tournament will be hosted by Poland and will be the 12th edition of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, running from 5 – 27 September 2026.
Korea DPR are the current champions, having claimed their third crown at Colombia 2024 to draw level with the USA and Germany as the competition’s joint most successful nation.
24 teams from across all six confederations will vie for glory as host nation Poland make their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup debut.
