Carol Kanyemba, coach of Zambia’s U-17 Women’s National Team, will make history on Friday as the first female Zambian coach at any level of the FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup begins today, and Kanyemba’s team is in Group D alongside Brazil, Poland, and Japan. They’ll start their campaign against Brazil at 1:00 AM Zambian time.
The Copper Princesses are one of three African teams participating in the competition in the Dominican Republic. Kenya and Nigeria are the others.
The team easily defeated Tanzania, sunk Uganda, and edged out Morocco to make their first U-17 appearance since 2014.
Kanyembo’s name will go down in Zambian football history as the first female coach to coach a World Cup. When asked about it, the former Copper Queens defender said, “It’s not about me but the young girls.”
“We have told these girls that it’s time to rewrite history. Their friends who featured at the (Under-17) World Cup ten years ago have made it in life, I can say. This is the biggest platform that can really change their lives.
Kanyembo is optimistic about her girls’ first match against Brazil on Friday, believing it is the best opportunity for them to showcase their full potential.
“We’re telling them to believe in themselves. We have respect for Brazil, but we’re going to play our game. We’re going to show the world what we are able to do as well. We’ve told the girls to unleash their potential, show the world what they have as well and enjoy the game.”
