Former Copper Queens Assistant Coach Florence Mwila Appointed Zambia U20 Head Coach
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed the appointment of Florence Mwila as the new Zambia U20 Women’s National Team head coach, succeeding Charles Halubono, who has been promoted to the senior team.
Mwila, a former Copper Queens assistant coach, will be assisted by Charity Nthala, while Sarah Chungu has been named goalkeepers’ coach.
From Copper Queens to U20 Leadership
Mwila was part of Bruce Mwape’s technical bench that led Zambia to historic milestones, including:
- Winning bronze at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Securing a second consecutive Olympic qualification for the 2024 Paris Games.
- Lifting the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship trophy before parting ways with the senior team.
Following Mwape’s exit in December 2024, Mwila and the rest of the technical staff were replaced by Swiss coach Nora Hauptle.
Now, Mwila takes on a new challenge, leading the Young Copper Queens into the 2025 UEFA Friendship Cup, scheduled for March 31 – April 10 in Turkey.
Mwila’s First Challenge: UEFA Friendship Cup
Zambia has been placed in Group A alongside Turkey, Colombia, and Thailand, while Group B features Tanzania, Finland, Lebanon, and Jamaica. The tournament will provide Zambia’s rising stars with valuable international experience.
Known for her strong talent identification skills, Mwila has already named her 26-member provisional squad for the tournament. The final squad will be trimmed to 20 players before departure.
“This tournament is a great opportunity to expose our young players to top-level competition. We want to build a strong team for future international tournaments,” Mwila said.
Her leadership will be crucial as Zambia aims to continue its rise in women’s football by developing the next generation of Copper Queens.
