Former Copper Queens assistant coach Florence Mwila has been appointed as the new head coach of the Zambia U-20 women’s national team, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed.
Charity Nthala will join her as her assistant and Sarah Chungu as the goalkeepers’ coach.
Mwila left the Copper Queens technical bench with Bruce Mwape, who was replaced by Swiss trainer Nora Hauptle in December 2024.
This was after leading the squad to the 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship trophy. She was also a member of Mwape’s technical bench, which made history in 2022 by winning bronze at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, securing the team’s first FIFA World Cup qualification. This was followed by a second qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Known for her keen eye for talent identification, Mwila will begin her tenure as the U-20 head coach at the UEFA Friendship Cup, scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 10.
The Young Copper Queens are placed in Group A alongside hosts Turkey, Colombia, and Thailand, while Group B features East African side Tanzania, Finland, Lebanon, and Jamaica.
Mwila has already named her squad for the tournament:
GOALKEEPERS
Cynthia Mushili (Nchanga Queens), Margaret Phiri (Elite Ladies), Lucy Ndebe (Marvellous Girls)
DEFENDERS
Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Chimwemwe Banda (Football Chance Foundation), Natasha Nkaka (Choma Warriors). Mwaziona Sakala (Chipata Girls), Fridah Mbao (Pataaki), Dorcas Kupanda (Kansanshi Dynamos), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Esther Musialela (ZANACO Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS
Eunice Bwalya, Harriet Matipa (both YASA Queens), Zangose Blessings Zulu (Pataaki), Tricia Mabamba, Brenda Mwewa (both Nchanga Queens). Mapalo Lumya (Nkana Queens), Mary Mukupa (Red Arrows)
STRIKERS
Bwalya Namute Chileshe (Green Buffaloes), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace) Gift Chilwizhi (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles). Theresa Nayame (Ntindi Shining Stars), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows), Judith Phiri (FC MUZA), Ireen Mweemba (Marvellous Girls)
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