FIFA U17 WORLD CUP Daka Names Zambia’s Final U17 Squad for World Cup in Dominican Republic

Zambia U17 Women National Team Carol Kanyemba-Daka has named her final 21-member squad for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2024 which will run from 16 October – 4 November in the Dominican Republic.

Daka has named a strong squad led by captain Zangose Blessing Zulu that will compete at the 16-team tournament where Zambia has been drawn in Group D alongside Brazil, Japan, and Poland.

Speaking when she unveiled her final squad that is due to leave for the Dominican Republic later on (Wednesday), Kanyemba believes the squad has prepared adequately and will put up a better showing at the age group competition.

“We came up with this squad based on performance and for the betterment of the nation. Zambia is for everyone and whoever is eligible and can play deserves to play in this team. Our aim for coming up with the team is to be able to deliver to the nation what is expected considering that women’s football is on the rise,” Daka said.

“Even as we go for our second World Cup appearance at U17 level, we aim to set a better record than what we set in 2014. Every player that has been picked in the final squad deserves to be here, we believe in them and they will be able to deliver.”

Daka said the local camp was competitive and helped the technical team pick a Copper Princesses side that would be able to stand tall against some of the best teams in the world.

“Everyone was pushing for them to find a slot in the final squad. We are happy with the team that we have chosen, it has been a journey but we have worked together as a technical bench to choose the team that is going to represent the country very well,” Daka said.

“We are very confident (in the team) because these are the players we have chosen based on their performance and based on the positions in which they are playing. We believe in the girls that we have chosen and we believe that they will be able to deliver what we have taught them and what is expected of them.”

She thanked the fans for their support throughout the qualification phase and the local camping. “We are doing it for Mother Zambia, there are no personal interests in this, it’s for the wellbeing of the nation and also for the betterment of the players themselves as they go and expose their talents. The fans have been behind us to boost the team for us to continue pushing. We want to appreciate the people that have been supporting us,” Daka said.

The Copper Princesses will open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on 18 October, before facing Poland on 20 October and Japan on 23 October. All Zambia’s pool matches will be played at the Estadio Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo.

FINAL SQUAD; GOALKEEPERS; Mwila Chishala Mufunte (Police Dove Queens), Loveness Chingwele (FC MUZA), Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens).

DEFENDERS; Margaret Gondwe (Luyando Foundation Girls), Nana Mulanda (Play It Forward), Eunice Bwalya (YASA Queens), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation Girls), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Mwaziona Sakala (Chipata Girls), Eunice Mutonyi (Police Dove Queens).

MIDFIELDERS; Lillian Mweenda (Elite Ladies), Zangose Blessing Zulu (Pataaki FC), Mapalo Blessing Maluba (Marvelous Academy), Harriet Matipa (YASA Queens), Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Mary Mukupa (Red Arrows).

STRIKERS; Namute Chileshe (Green Buffaloes), Gift Chilwizhi, Mercy Chipasula (both Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace).


Dennis Mabuka

Dennis Mabuka is a seasoned Kenyan journalist with 18 years of experience covering sports events. He is currently a sport content creator with en.Africatopsports.com.

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