As the first female coach to lead Zambia to a FIFA World Cup at any level, Carol Kanyemba made history in the annals of Zambian football.
The Copper Princesses defeated Morocco 3-1 on aggregate in the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup final qualifying stage, thanks to her leadership.
BolaNews reveals the exclusive list of coaches to send Zambia to the FIFA World Cup at the U17, U20, and senior levels.
Patrick Phiri (U20 Men, 1999)
Patrick Phiri gave Zambia its first-ever taste of FIFA World Cup football when he took the U20 Chipolopolo Boys to the 1999 edition in Nigeria. The squad was primarily composed of local talent, except for the European-based duo Ian Bakala and Perry Mutapa.
After 4-3 win against Honduras in the opener, Phiri’s side lost 5-1 to Ronaldinho’s Brazil in the final group match.
Albert Kachinga (U17 Women, 2014)
Kachinga was the first Zambian coach to inspire a women’s team to a FIFA World Cup at any age level. The team he led to the 2014 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup would turn out to be Zambia’s golden generation.
He guided the likes of Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Margret Belemu, Hazel Nali, Martha Tembo, Hellen Chanda, Mary Wilombe, Ngambo Musole, and Ireen Lungu.
George Lwandamina (U20 Men, 2007)
Lwandamina led the U20 Chipolopolo Boys to the last 16 of the 2007 FIFA World Cup in Canada. Zambia eventually lost 2-1 to their African counterparts, Nigeria, in the round of 16.
Beston Chambeshi (U20 Men, 2017)
The most recent success for the Zambian men’s national team dates back to 2017 when Beston Chambeshi’s Boys reached the quarterfinals of the U-20 FIFA World Cup. Zambia defeated Portugal, Iran, and Germany before suffering a 2-3 defeat to Italy, courtesy of an extra-time winner from Luca Vido.
Bruce Mwape (Senior Women, 2023)
Be it in men’s or women’s football, Bruce Mwape became the first coach to lead the Zambia national team to the senior FIFA World Cup. Zambia also recorded their first World Cup win, a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.
Carol Kanyemba (U17 Women, 2024)
Kanyemba propelled the Copper Princesses to yet another U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup in ten years. The Princesses secured their ticket for the showpiece in the Dominican Republic, set to kick off in October this year.
She has since set the record for the first Zambian female coach to qualify a national team for any FIFA World Cup.
READ ALSO: Copper Queens hit highest point total in latest FIFA ranking.
