The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team beat Uganda 2-0 to give themselves an advantage heading into the second leg.
Coach Carol Kanyemba gave ZESCO Ndola Girls pacey winger Ruth Mukoma her debut start in the team as she lined up alongside Bwalya Namute Chileshe and Mercy Chipasula.
Skipper Blessings Zangose Zulu , Harriet Matipa and Mapalo Maluba made a midfield trio while Anna Malunda, Natasha Nkaka, Margaret Gondwe and Saliya Mwanza making uo the back four.
Police Dove Queens goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte started between the sticks.
Bwalya Namute Chileshe put the Copper Princesses in the lead just two into the match after a brilliant run to break the Uganda defensive line.
The Copper Princesses slowed down and allowed the Teen Cranes to come back into the game though they could not score.
Zambia went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Harriet Matipa was withdrawn at the start of the second half for Mary Mukupa as coach Carol Kanyemba looked to freshen up the team.
The Team Cranes kept pushing but Zambia were holding their own.
Blessings Zulu started to come into the game with Mukoma utilizing her pace to torment the Uganda defense.
Uganda thought they had leveled matters but only for the goal to be disallowed for a handball in the build up.
Zambia then doubled the lead in the 70th minute when Blessings Zangose Zulu unleashed a brilliant pass to Puth Ruth Mukoma through on goal, and the ZESCO Ndola Girls striker made no mistake.
Kanyemba introduced Ruth Muwowo for Mercy Chipasula as they looked to wind down the clock and seal the win, 2-0.
The two teams will face off in a second leg on 17th of May at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
The winner over two legs will face Morocco or Algeria in the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 U17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by the Dominican Republic.
2024 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier |Full-Time
Zambia 2-0 Uganda
(Bwalya Namute Chileshe 3′, Ruth Mukoma 70′)
Congratulations to the girls for the goals and three points.
A šÆ % efficiency at winning at home. āļø
However, it is clear that tge team requires technical awareness to avoid the seemingly ci pante pante state of affairs at some piont in the game.
Wishing them well in Uganda, at a much smaller and hostile venue. PSYCHE THEM UP for battle so that we can play the Arabs again soon.