Kanyemba Unveils 25-Man Squad for COSAFA U17 Title Defense

Zambia U17 Women’s National Team coach Carol Kanyemba has selected a 25-player squad to begin camp preparations on Saturday ahead of the 2024 COSAFA Women’s U17 Championship in Namibia, scheduled for May 10-17.

The squad includes 14 players from the Copper Princesses’ recent historic back-to-back FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification campaign, sealed with a victory over Benin last weekend.

However, Zambia will be without captain Mercy Chipasula, Lweendo Hanongo, Hellen Sichamba, Masela Sekeseke, Victoria Mbali, and Loveness Chingwele, who are ineligible due to the tournament’s age restrictions. These players will instead focus on Zambia’s upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign.

Aston Villa youth midfielder Jessica Choolwe Johnson has been excused to complete her final school exams, while defender Nana Malanda returns from injury. Natasha Nkaka remains sidelined due to injury.

The defending champions, Zambia, have been drawn in Group B alongside Mozambique and Mauritius. Hosts Namibia, Malawi, and Comoros make up Group A, while Group C features Lesotho, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Squad List

Goalkeepers:

Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves Queens), Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens), Harriet Tembo (Misisi Queens Academy)

Defenders:

Nana Malanda (Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation Girls), Theresa Mubiana (Play It Forward), Esther Ngabwe, Gift Chisha Mazimba (Elite Ladies), Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves Queens), Febby Chewe (Bwacha Pirates), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy)

Midfielders:

Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Hellen Misozi Banda (Play It Forward), Natasha Kasema (ZISD Women), Lean Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Precious Mwewa (Candice Girls), Janet Chirwa (Young Green Buffaloes), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows)

Forwards:

Grace Phiri (Play It Forward), Ruth Mukoma, Natasha Chileshe (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Rudrah Longo (MoPeace), Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace), Caroline Nsondo (Choma Warriors)