Zambia Unveils Provisional Squad for World Cup Crucial Showdown

Zambia Unveils Provisional Squad for World Cup Crucial Showdown

By Our Reporter 

Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team coach Carol Kanyemba has named a 35-player provisional squad for the final round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The squad features a blend of experienced players from previous qualifying rounds and new faces, including England-based midfielder Asher Mwamba, who receives her maiden call-up. Mwamba currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion and is expected to bolster Zambia’s midfield options ahead of the decisive ties.

Zambia will host Ethiopia in the first leg on July 4 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola before travelling to Addis Ababa for the return fixture a week later. The winner on aggregate will secure a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

As part of preparations for the crucial encounter, the team is scheduled to enter camp in Ndola on Tuesday. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has opted for an extended training programme to provide the squad with maximum preparation time before the opening leg.

The Copper Princesses will be aiming to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after securing places at the 2024 tournament in the Dominican Republic and the 2025 edition in Morocco.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the tournament’s 10th edition, will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, with 24 nations competing for the global title.

Kanyemba’s provisional squad comprises five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 12 midfielders and eight strikers as Zambia intensifies preparations for one of its most important fixtures on the youth football calendar.

Among the notable inclusions are midfielder Natasha Kasema of Green Buffaloes, Yassa Queens’ Taonga Mubanga, and striker Elizabeth Mofya, while Elite Ladies contribute several players across different departments of the squad.

The final squad is expected to be announced closer to the first-leg encounter in Ndola.