By Bola Yapa Zed | 27th October, 2025
After making history by advancing to the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Zambia’s Copper Princesses are gearing up for a challenging Round of 16 showdown against Canada. Head coach Carol Kanyemba believes the match will serve as a vital test for her young side as they continue to grow in confidence on the global stage.
Zambia advanced to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams, thanks to a commanding 4–0 victory over New Zealand in their final Group F match — their first-ever win at the tournament. Canada, on the other hand, topped Group D after thrashing Nigeria (4–1), Samoa (6–0), and edging France (2–1).
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s knockout fixture, Coach Carol Kanyemba expressed gratitude for her team’s breakthrough performance and acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead against a free-scoring Canadian side.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving us the wisdom and strength to achieve this milestone,” she said. “The girls showed great character and delivered when it mattered most. We promised the Zambian people a good result, and I’m proud that the girls kept that promise.”
Kanyemba noted that while her players have shown resilience, they must be fully focused when facing a technically strong and well-organized Canada.
“Canada has been doing very well in the group stages — scoring more than three goals in every game,” she explained. “This will be a good test for us to see how we can contain such a powerful team and also find ways to penetrate their defense, which hasn’t conceded much in this tournament. It’s a learning experience for us, and we’ll give it everything we have.”
The Copper Princesses have demonstrated remarkable improvement since their opening defeats to Paraguay and Japan. Their emphatic 4–0 victory over New Zealand not only sealed qualification but also boosted morale within the camp.
Under Kanyemba’s guidance, Zambia’s youthful side has grown in confidence, discipline, and belief — qualities that will be essential against Canada. The team’s attacking trio of Victoria Mbali, Masela Sekeseke, and Grace Phiri has been particularly impressive, while skipper Mercy Chipasula continues to lead with composure and determination.
Team captain Mercy Chipasula took a moment to thank the fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament.
“Our people in Zambia, thank you very much for your support,” she said. “Please continue supporting us — we feel your love and we are doing our best to make you proud.”
Chipasula, who scored a stunning goal against New Zealand, emphasized the importance of maintaining belief as the team heads into their toughest test yet.
The Copper Princesses have already written their names into Zambian football history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time. Now, they face a monumental challenge against Canada, one of the tournament favorites.
For Coach Carol Kanyemba, this is more than just a knockout tie — it’s a crucial learning curve for her players and a chance to show how far Zambian women’s football has come on the world stage.
Zambia will take on Canada on Wednesday, October 29th, at 21:00 CAT, with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs.
