By Bola Yapa Zed | 29th October 2025
Zambia’s dream run at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco has come to a painful end after a 6–0 defeat to Canada in the round of 16. The result saw the Copper Princesses’ first-ever knockout appearance at a global tournament end in heartbreak, with Canada proving too strong and clinical for the young Zambian side.
Despite the disappointment, this tournament marks a historic milestone for Zambia their first progression to the knockout stage at any FIFA Women’s World Cup level under head coach Carol Kanyemba, signaling the growing potential of women’s football in the country.
It was a tough evening for Zambia as Canada’s dominance became evident from the early stages. The North Americans took control through Lacey Kindel, who opened the scoring after converting a precise cross from Melisa Kekic. Moments later, Daniela Feria-Estrada doubled the lead after a slick setup by Kekic.
The floodgates opened as Canada maintained relentless pressure. Mya Angus produced a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 3–0 before Chloe Taylor extended the lead with a composed finish. Feria-Estrada then completed her brace from a well-taken free kick, capping off a commanding 6–0 victory for the North Americans.
Zambia struggled to find their rhythm, and although they showed flashes of resilience in midfield, the defensive lapses and lack of coordination in the final third proved costly.
For head coach Carol Kanyemba and her technical team, this tournament provided valuable lessons. The Copper Princesses displayed determination and attacking flair in their earlier 4–0 win over New Zealand, but the gap in tactical maturity and physicality against world-class opposition like Canada was evident.
Still, there are positives to take home. The emergence of talents such as Victoria Mbali, Mercy Chipasula, and Faith Kaunda shows Zambia’s promising future in women’s football. The experience gained on this global stage will be vital for their development as they transition into the U-20 and senior setups.
Zambia’s campaign began with a 2–1 loss to Paraguay and a 2–0 defeat to Japan, before a stunning 4–0 victory over New Zealand saw them qualify for the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. However, the loss to Canada means the Copper Princesses have now won just one of their last seven World Cup matches across two editions.
The team’s resilience, despite limited preparation time and resources, remains commendable. Their journey captured the hearts of fans back home, reigniting hope in the country’s youth football development programs.
While the heavy defeat to Canada is a bitter pill to swallow, the Copper Princesses’ Morocco 2025 campaign represents a significant step forward for Zambian women’s football. Reaching the knockout stages for the first time is a foundation to build on — one that should inspire greater investment in grassroots development, coaching, and youth competition exposure.
The future remains bright, and as Coach Kanyemba and her players return home, their story stands as a reminder that progress often begins with painful lessons.
