One year after scoring on her debut for the Zambia U-17 Women’s National Team during the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda, striker Ruth Mukoma has become a key player and is now aiming to lead her team to victory at the 2025 COSAFA U-17 Women’s Championship.
Mukoma, who hails from Mwinilunga District in the Northwestern Province, has been named captain ahead of the regional tournament. She is hopeful of lifting the trophy but admits the pressure is real.
“Pressure is there, but we need to work extra hard so that we bring the cup to Zambia,” Mukoma said. “We are not just going there to play but to work hard and bring the cup to Zambia. However, for us to bring the cup to Zambia, we need to work really hard then everything will be fine.”
Mukoma was part of coach Carol Kanyemba’s squad that secured qualification for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. However, she will lead a team that is missing key players such as Captain Mercy Chipasula. Still, she believes their absence won’t derail the team’s ambitions.
“We have qualified for the World Cup, so we can also win the COSAFA Cup. Even if some players are not with us, we can still work hard and win COSAFA.
“For us to qualify for the World Cup, it’s because we worked hard, but yes, some of the players who were there during the World Cup qualifiers are not here, so we who are here will work together and fight for the team.”
The former Kansanshi Queens FC forward, who now plays for ZESCO Ndola Girls FC, remains optimistic that the Copper Princesses can defend the title they won last year.
“We’re going there to win the cup and I also want to win it as captain.”
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