KANYEMBA’S 35-MEMBER WORLD CUP SQUAD REVEALED
Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team coach Carol Kanyemba has named a 35-member provisional squad for next month’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Copper Princesses are set to enter a long-term training camp this weekend as preparations intensify ahead of the global tournament, which runs from 17 October to 7 November.
The camp will eventually transition into the team’s pre-tournament international camp as Kanyemba finalises her squad for the competition.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has also provided the technical bench with regular weekly camps in the build-up to the tournament, giving the coaches an opportunity to scout and assess talent from across the country.
Among the 35 players called up are four members of Zambia’s previous FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup squad — Taonga Mubanga, Esther Ngabwe, Grace Phiri and Beatrice Njobvu.
Zambia will be one of five African representatives at the 24-team tournament and has been drawn in Group D alongside Japan, France and Venezuela.
The Copper Princesses will begin their campaign against Japan on 18 October before facing Venezuela three days later. Their final group match will be against France on 24 October, Zambia’s Independence Day.
Kanyemba has guided Zambia to three consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup appearances in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and will now look to prepare another competitive squad for the Morocco tournament.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves Queens), Winifridah Mutale (Elite Ladies), Descent Mbewe (National Assembly), Carol Mweetwa (Barts Queens).
Defenders: Josephine Change (Nchanga Rangers Queens), Tabitha Nyirenda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe, Gift Mazimba, Faith Kaunda (both Elite Ladies), Susan Mulungwa (Green Eagles), Chricencia Phiri (Red Arrows), Ethel Njobvu (Young Green Buffaloes), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves), Beauty Chibuye (Lunchu Queens), Luswepo Mulwanda (Luyando Sporting), Elizabeth Nkhoma (Kummawa Stars).
Midfielders: Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Taonga Mubanga, Veronica Phiri (both Yasa Queens), Gift Ng’uni, Fridah Ndashe (both Power Dynamos), Precious Mwewa, Dorcas Mulosha (both Candice Girls Academy), Lillian Mwenda, Agnes Mwaka, Faith Kapilingo (all Elite Ladies), Nang’andu Hakayobe (Barts Queens), Blessings Mutale (Young Green Buffaloes).
Strikers: Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Prodia Mwiinga (Choma Warriors), Phidah Muzuwa (Elite Ladies), Elizabeth Mofya (Green Buffaloes), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows), Beatrice Chipumpula (Aguila Stars).
