U17 WWCQS Showdown: Zambia vs. Tanzania This Saturday at Nkoloma
U17 WWCQS Showdown: Zambia vs. Tanzania This Saturday at Nkoloma
The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team is set to kick off its FIFA World Cup qualification campaign this weekend.
The Copper Princesses are scheduled to face Tanzania in the first leg at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday. Coach Carol Kanyemba has diligently prepared the squad over the past two weeks for this crucial encounter.
The preparation phase commenced with an “All Stars vs The Rest” initiative, where provincial teams vied for spots in the squad. This initiative aimed to finalize the team that will compete against the Provisional Squad. The match concluded in a 2-2 draw, with several players securing their places in the provisional squad.
The team is a mix of 2023 Region 5 Games silver medalists and promising newcomers. Blessings Zangose Zulu, the star forward from Pataaki Girls, leads the team as the captain. She is joined by accomplished players such as Harriet Matipa, Taonga Mubanga, Margaret Gondwe, and Mercy Chipasula. Notably, Saliya Mwanza from Elite Ladies is among the new additions to the squad.
Zambia’s last qualification for the World Cup dates back to 2014, led by players like Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Margaret Belemu, and Hazel Nali. The team will embark on the away fixture a week after the home leg. The winner over the two legs will advance to face either Uganda or Cameroon in the third round of the qualifiers.
In the fourth round, three African teams will secure qualification for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
