NEWS

Copper Princesses Seal FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualification With Ethiopia Draw

2 hours ago

The Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team has secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the second leg of their final qualifying round, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The Copper Princesses showed resilience and composure in a high-pressure encounter at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, overcoming strong home resistance to book their place at a third consecutive global tournament.

Zambia struck early in the second half through Precious Mwewa (46’), extending their aggregate advantage and putting Ethiopia under pressure. The hosts responded late through Mihiret Ayele Abebe (88’), but it was not enough to overturn the deficit.

Despite late pressure from Ethiopia, Zambia held firm defensively in the closing stages to protect their lead and confirm qualification.

Assistant coach Naomi Phiri praised the team’s determination, saying the players showed character and discipline to achieve their objective. Midfielder Lillian Mwenda also highlighted the team’s unity and adherence to the game plan, dedicating the achievement to Zambia.

Also Read: Zambia Copper Queens Shifts Focus To Bronze Medal Match Following Defeat

Since their debut in 2014, the Copper Princesses have now qualified for three consecutive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups, underlining their growing consistency on the global stage.

#	Team	GP	Pts
1	Power Dynamos	34	78
2	Red Arrows	34	63
3	Kabwe Warriors	33	51
4	Nchanga Rangers	34	50
5	Zanaco	33	50
6	Green Eagles	34	50
7	Mufulira Wanderers	34	49
8	Konkola Blades	34	48
9	FC MUZA	33	48
10	Zesco United	33	44
11	Kansanshi Dynamos	34	43
12	Green Buffaloes	34	41
13	Nkana FC	34	39
14	Nkwazi FC	33	37
15	Mutondo Stars	33	35
16	Napsa Stars	33	33
17	FC Leopards	33	31
18	Mines United	34	18

#	Team	GP	Pt
1	Makeni All Stars	34	66
2	Chirundu United	34	65
3	Trident FC	34	65
4	Roan United FC	34	64
5	Forest Rangers	34	58
6	Kafue Celtic	34	58
7	Lumwana Radiants	34	56
8	Aguila Stars	34	53
9	Atletico Lusaka	34	47
10	Jumulo FC	34	42
11	Indeni FC	34	40
12	Ndola United	34	39
13	Kitwe United	34	36
14	Chipata City Council FC	34	36
15	Locus FC	34	34
16	Chambishi FC	34	28
17	River Plate	34	25
18	Mpulungu Harbour	34	14

#	Team	GP	Pt
1	Zesco Ndola Girls	34	88
2	Green Buffaloes Women	34	83
3	Indeni Roses	34	75
4	Zanaco Ladies	34	67
5	Red Arrows Women	34	67
6	Green Eagles Women	34	63
7	Konkola Blades Queens	34	57
8	Nchanga Rangers Queens	34	52
9	Trident Queens	34	45
10	The Elite Ladies	34	45
11	Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens	34	33
12	National Assembly Women	34	32
13	Luyando Foundation Girls	34	31
14	YASA Queens	34	27
15	ZISD FC	34	25
16	Amazing Grace FC	34	24
17	Nkwazi Queens	34	20
18	Chipata Girls	34	15

#	Team	GP	Pts
1	Power Dynamos	34	78
2	Red Arrows	34	63
3	Kabwe Warriors	33	51
4	Nchanga Rangers	34	50
5	Zanaco	33	50
6	Green Eagles	34	50
7	Mufulira Wanderers	34	49
8	Konkola Blades	34	48
9	FC MUZA	33	48
10	Zesco United	33	44
11	Kansanshi Dynamos	34	43
12	Green Buffaloes	34	41
13	Nkana FC	34	39
14	Nkwazi FC	33	37
15	Mutondo Stars	33	35
16	Napsa Stars	33	33
17	FC Leopards	33	31
18	Mines United	34	18

#	Team	GP	Pt
1	Makeni All Stars	34	66
2	Chirundu United	34	65
3	Trident FC	34	65
4	Roan United FC	34	64
5	Forest Rangers	34	58
6	Kafue Celtic	34	58
7	Lumwana Radiants	34	56
8	Aguila Stars	34	53
9	Atletico Lusaka	34	47
10	Jumulo FC	34	42
11	Indeni FC	34	40
12	Ndola United	34	39
13	Kitwe United	34	36
14	Chipata City Council FC	34	36
15	Locus FC	34	34
16	Chambishi FC	34	28
17	River Plate	34	25
18	Mpulungu Harbour	34	14

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