The defending Champions, Zambia will look to start their 2025 COSAFA Girls’ Under-17 Championship title defense on a winning note.
Carol Kanyemba’s side cruised to an emphatic 15-0 win in the final last year to lift the trophy and will be hoping to start this company on a positive note.
The Copper Princesses take on Mozambique in their Group B opener at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia with kick-off time set at 12:00 CAT / 10:00 GMT.
Midfielder Taonga Mubanga believes the tournament won’t be easy as all the team’s want to beat the Champions.
“It won’t be easy because the other teams know that we won the last tournament. They will want to beat us. We just have to talk to each other and work for one another on the pitch,” she said.
The Copper Princesses recently secured their slot at the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup after seeing off Benin 6-2 on aggregate and they look to take that momentum into the regional showpiece.
Coach Carol Kanyemba is without Captain Mercy Chipasula who was the top goalscorer at last year’s showpiece with 13 goals, Lweendo Hanongo, Hellen Sichamba, Masela Sekeseke, Victoria Mbali, and Loveness Chingwele who will all miss the tournament as they turn 17 this year but will be key in Zambia’s U17 World Cup squad.
Aston Villa youth midfielder Jessica Choolwe Johnson was excused to attend to her final year school commitments.
Bukata Kakumbi is expected to continue between the sticks with Precious Mwape, and Esther Ngabwe likely to partner in the heart of defense.
Exciting winger cum defender Faith Kaunda is expected to start at left back but could be an option higher up on the wing thanks to her versatility despite being just 13 years old.
The excellent Taonga Mubanga will continue in midfield alongside Hellen Banda with either Precious Mwewa or Natasha Kasema joining them.
Upfront Grace ‘Pogba’ Phiri is expected to lead the attack with skipper Ruth Mukoma on one wing while Leah Mulenga, Esther Makoti and Janet Chirwa battle it out for a position on the other wing.
This afternoon’s fixture will kick-off at 12h00 CAT and will be live on FIFA+.
