Zambia U17 Women’s National Team coach Carol Kanyemba-Daka has trimmed her squad to 25 players ahead of next month’s 2024 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup third round back-to-back qualifiers against Uganda.
The exercise comes 10 days after the squad of 35 players comprising Under-15 players who reported to camp in Lusaka to prepare for the back-to-back qualifier matches.
“The camp of 35 (players) was good because it gave competition to the players we had in camp. We didn’t want any player to own the team, so when we added the new players in the setup it brought in good competition and few players from the U15 have made it to the final team,” Kanyemba told FAZ Media.
“This has brought competition and the girls are looking very fine. They have welcomed the friends and the players are looking forward to the games.”
Kanyemba is confident the team will work hard in training and get the results needed to secure a fourth-round date against Morocco or Algeria.
The first leg will be played on 12 May at Nkoloma stadium with the reverse fixture set for 17 May at at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
“Club and country philosophies are different and it is good to see the players are blending to provide competition before face Uganda. We have a duty to work hard and prepare adequately because our goal is to make sure that we go to the World Cup,” said Kanyemba.
Zambia squad; Goalkeepers; Margaret Phiri (Elite Ladies), Mwila Chishala Mufunte (Police Dove Queens), Cynthia Mushili (Trident Queens).
Defenders; Margaret Gondwe (Luyando Foundation Girls), Natasha Nkaka (Choma Warriors), Anna Mulanda (Play It Forward), Chabota Mweene (Zed Pro Sports Foundation), Lungowe Phiri (Pataaki Fc), Chimwemwe Banda (Football Chance Academy), Eunice Bwalya (YASA Queens).
Midfielders; Zangose Blessing Zulu (Pataaki Fc), Mapalo Blessing Maluba (Marvelous Academy), Harriet Matipa (YASA Queens), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Mary Mukupa (Red Arrows), Sharon Muyuti (YASA Queens).
Strikers; Namute Chileshe (Green Buffaloes), Eunice Mutonyi (Police Dove Queens), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Gift Chilwizhi (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Fridah Mukoma (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace ), Theresa Nayame (Merced Queens).