Zambia U17 Women’s National Team Gears Up for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Zambia U17 Women’s National Team Gears Up for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Zambia U17 Women’s National Team coach, Carol Kanyemba, has taken a significant step in preparing for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifiers against Tanzania next month. Kanyemba has named a provisional squad of 34 players, signaling the start of preparations for the crucial back-to-back fixtures.

Coach Kanyemba’s provisional squad includes 12 players from the provincial side that emerged after the national trials. The national trials involved all 10 provinces, culminating in a clash against the All-Stars team at Sunset Stadium on January 6, 2024. The inclusion of players from various provinces reflects a concerted effort to assemble a diverse and talented squad for the upcoming qualifiers.

Zambia is set to host Tanzania on February 3, with the return leg taking place a week later. The winner over the two legs will advance to the third round and face either Uganda or Cameroon. The stakes are high, with only three African teams ultimately qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic after the conclusion of round four of the qualifiers.

Provisional Squad Breakdown

Goalkeepers:

1. Gift Chimba (Chipata Girls)
2. Cynthia Mushili (Trident Queens)
3. Margaret Phiri (Elite Ladies)
4. Mwila Chishala Mufunte (Police Dove Queens)

Defenders:

1. Theresa Mubiana (Randers)
2. Matilda Mukunda (Elite Ladies)
3. Tendai Mbao (Paataki FC)
4. Judith Banda (Football Chance)
5. Lucy Tembo (Eastern Province)
6. Tamika Siampamba (New Stars Academy)
7. Martha Phiri (Western Province)
8. Musole Shawa (Western Province)
9. Prospelindah Mwiinde Milambo (Choma Warriors)

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Midfielders:

1. Zangose Zulu (Pataaki FC)
2. Naomi Banda (Bwacha Queens)
3. Mwape Kandinda
4. Eunice Mutonyi (Police Dove Queens)
5. Natasha Kasema (Ingwe Girls FC)
6. Taonga Mubanga
7. Eunice Bwalya
8. Harriet Matipa (all YASA Queens)
9. Chricencia Phiri (Radars Queens FC)
10. Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens)
11. Natasha Nkaka (Choma Warriors)

Strikers:

1. Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies)
2. Mercy Chipasula
3. Gift Chilwizhi (both Kamfinsa Police Blue Eagles)
4. Margaret Gondwe (Luyando Foundation Girls)
5. Mwaziona Sakala (Chipata Girls)
6. Namute Chileshe (Green Buffaloes)
7. Theresa Nayame (Merced Queens)
8. Dorcas Kupanda (Kansanshi Dynamos)
9. Blessings Maluba (Marvelous Girls FC)
10. Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace Girls)

As the squad enters camp in Lusaka, the focus is on intensive preparations to secure victory and advance in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The diverse and talented pool of players reflects the commitment to developing women’s football at the youth level in Zambia. Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming fixtures and the potential success of the Zambia U17 Women’s National Team on the