The Zambia U20 Women’s National Team has stepped up preparations for the 2025 UEFA Friendship Cup, with training sessions ongoing at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
Coach Florence Mwila, assisted by Charity Nthala and goalkeeper coach Sarah Chungu, is leading the team through rigorous drills as they gear up for the tournament scheduled to commence in Turkey from 31 March to 10 April.
Mwila has named her 20-member travelling party comprising U18 players without the services of defender Natasha Nkaka who is recovering from injury.
Group A has drawn Zambia alongside hosts Turkey, Colombia and Thailand, while Group B features Tanzania, Finland, Lebanon and Jamaica. Zambia and Tanzania are the only representatives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Young Copper Queens will kick off their campaign against Colombia on 31 March, before facing Turkey on 3 April and Thailand on 6 April, with the final classification matches set for 9 April.
The UEFA Friendship Cup is a global initiative that aims to expose young talents to different styles of play while fostering international cooperation and cultural exchange.
The tournament will feature eight national teams from five confederations and will be hosted by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) at its national training centre in Riva, near Istanbul.
20-MEMBER FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Cynthia Mushili (Nchanga Queens), Margaret Phiri (Elite Ladies)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Chimwemwe Banda (Football Chance Foundation), Eunice Mutonyi (Police Doves Queens), Mwaziona Sakala (Chipata Girls), Fridah Tendai Mbao (Pataaki), Dorcas Kupanda (Kansanshi Dynamos), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens)
MIDFIELDERS
Eunice Bwalya, Harriet Matipa (both YASA Queens), Zangose Blessings Zulu (Pataaki), Tricia Mabamba (Nchanga Queens)
STRIKERS
Bwalya Namute Chileshe (Green Buffaloes), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace) Gift Chilwizhi (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Theresa Nayame (Ntindi Shining Stars), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows), Judith Phiri (FC MUZA)
By FAZ Media
