The Zambia U17 Women National Team has left for South Africa to compete at the COSAFA U17 Girls’ Championship 2024 which will run from 4-13 December in Johannesburg.
The 20-member squad departed Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka at 16h20 aboard Zambian Airways en route to Johannesburg. Coach Carol Kanyemba Daka told FAZ Media before departure that the Copper Princesses are keen to emulate the Copper Queens and Young Copper Queens who won gold at this year’s championships.
Team captain Mercy Chipasula, who competed at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic said the Princesses were determined to ‘bring the cup home.’
The 2022 silver medalists are placed in Group C, where they will face Botswana in the first match, Zimbabwe in the penultimate game and islanders Mauritius in their final group match.
FINAL SQUAD;
GOALKEEPERS; Loveness Chingwele (FC MUZA), Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens).
DEFENDERS; Natasha Nkaka (Choma Warriors), Nana Mulanda (Play It Forward), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation Girls), Esther Ngabwe (Mtendere United), Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens), Beatrice Njovu (Red Arrows Queens), Precious Mwewa (Candice Girls), Mary Pelete (YASA Queens).
MIDFIELDERS; Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens), Lillian Mweenda (Elite Ladies), Hellen Misozi Banda, Grace Phiri (both Play It Forward), Janet Chirwa (Young Green Buffaloes).
STRIKERS; Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows), Ruth Mukoma (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Wendy Choonga Mwiikisa (Musport Academy).