The Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team has intensified preparations for their back-to-back FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Rwanda.
Head coach Carol Kanyemba has called up a 36-player provisional squad as the Copper Princesses aim to advance in the competition.
Zambia will face Rwanda away first on April 17, 2026, at Pele Stadium in Kigali. They will then host the return leg five days later at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The winner of the tie will progress to the next round, where they will face either Djibouti or DR Congo.
Among the notable call-ups is Jessica Choolwe Johnson, the England-based midfielder currently on the books of Aston Villa. She is expected to link up with the team during the final phase of preparations.
Qualification Pathway
The African U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers consist of three rounds. The four teams that emerge from the process will join host nation Morocco (who qualify automatically) at the 2026 tournament.
Morocco has been granted hosting rights for five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with the event now held annually.
Coach Kanyemba has conducted phased training camps, assessing new talents before trimming the group down to the current 36 players. The squad will be further reduced in the final week of camp.
Zambia has qualified for the last two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cups and is determined to secure a third consecutive appearance.
The 2014 edition marked Zambia’s debut, launching the careers of stars such as Barbra Banda, Ireene Lungu, Grace Chanda, Martha Tembo, Hazel Nali, and Mary Wilombe.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
- Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens)
- Decent Mbewe (National Assembly)
- Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves)
- Carol Mweetwa (Barts Queens)
- Charity Zulu (Choma Warriors)
Defenders
- Patrina Moonga (Kalomo)
- Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy)
- Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies)
- Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens)
- Ruth Nachivula (Driven Queens)
- Febby Musonda (Bwacha Pirates)
- Chricencia Phiri (Radar Queens)
- Peace Muleya (Pemba Queens)
- Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows)
- Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves)
Midfielders
- Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes)
- Taonga Mubanga (Yasa Queens)
- Jessica Johnson (Aston Villa – England)
- Natasha Chileshe (ZISD Women)
- Precious Mwewa (Candice Girls Academy)
- Dorcas Mulosha (Candice Girls Academy)
- Leah Mulenga (Chalube Queens)
- Lillian Mwenda (Elite Ladies)
- Falesi Fitili (Luanshya Arts)
- Veronica Phiri (Yasa Queens)
- Susan Mulungwa (Green Eagles)
- Fridah Mupeta (Power Dynamos)
- Fatima Chulu (Nampundwe Queens)
Strikers
- Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses)
- Faith Kapilingo (Elite Ladies)
- Blessings Mutale (Young Green Buffaloes)
- Josephine Change (Nchanga Rangers Queens)
- Elozabeth Mofya (Green Buffaloes)
- Blessings Kabangula (Stars Queens)
- Ethel Njobvu (Young Green Buffaloes)
- Janet Musonda (Ingwe Girls)
