Kanyemba Names 35-Member Squad for Ethiopia Showdown

Zambia Under-17 women’s team head coach Carol Kanyemba has summoned a 35-member squad for the final round of the Under-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Copper Princesses will face Ethiopia on July 4 with Zambia hosting the first leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The return leg will be played a week later.

Leading up to the final round, Zambia beat DR Congo while Ethiopia overcame Burundi to set up the final round qualifiers’ tie.

According to the list released by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Kanyemba has handed a maiden call-up to England-based Asher Mwamba from Brighton & Hove Albion, as she maintained her squad from the last match.

Other notable retainees are Natasha Kasema, Taonga Mubanga, Precious Mwewa, and Lillian Mwenda, as camp starts in Ndola today.

Kanyemba is plotting Zambia’s third consecutive qualification to the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has intensified preparations for the clash, with a friendly match against Uganda already played.

Ethiopia entered camp on June 3 as they aim to earn their first-ever appearance at the youth global showpiece. As part of preparations, they hosted Uganda in a friendly match on June 11, which ended in a 3-3 at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia’s Lydia Eyasu scored twice inside eight minutes, but Uganda equalized through Namakula John and Barbie Marta in the 21st and 27th minutes.

The host would then go on to reclaim the lead in the 44th minute as Misret Ayele scored before the break. However, Ethiopia failed to see off the match, allowing Uganda to score in the 90th minute through Yagala Flavia.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Mary Nyangu (Yassa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly), Bukata Kakumbi (Police DOVES), Carol Mweetwa (Barts Queens), Deborah Phiri (Canaan Sports Foundation)

DEFENDERS: Josephine Change (Nchanga Queens), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe, Gift Mazimba (both Elite Ladies), Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens), Susan Mulungwa (Green Eagles), Chricencia Phiri (Radar Queens), Hope Makwaza (Victorious United), Ethel Njobvu (Young Buffaloes), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves)

MIDFIELDERS: Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Taonga Mubanga (Yassa Queens), Asher Mwamba (Brighton & Hove Albion-England), Fridah Ndashe (Power Dynamos Queens), Precious Mwewa, Dorcas Mulosha (both Candice Girls Academy), Christina Mwale (Misisi Academy), Faith Kapilingo, Agness Mwaka, Lillian Mwenda (all Elite Ladies), Astridah Musonda (Lunchu Queens), Fatima Chulu (Nampundwe Queens)

STRIKERS: Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Prodia Mwiinga (Choma Warriors), Phidah Mazuwa (Elite Ladies), Elizabeth Mofya (Green Buffaloes), Melody Yeenga (Zesco Ndola Girls), Sharon Lweendo (Ingwe Girls), Beatrice Chipupula (Aguila Stars), Agness Ondya (Young Green Buffaloes)