Zambia’s Cooper Princesses have qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup round of 16 for the first time in history after thrashing New Zealand 4-0 to advance as one of the third best placed teams.
The Copper Princesses who lost their first two matches, 2-1 to Paraguay and 2-0 to Japan, took the lead in the 32nd minute through a brilliant individual effort from Victoria Mbali, who chested the ball down on the edge of the area, weaved past a New Zealand defender and hammered home with the outside of her boot.
Zambia doubled their lead just before the break in the 44th minute as captain Mercy Chipasula cannoned the ball off the crossbar from 20 yards out and into the net. Masela Sekeseke and Grace Phiri capped the victory with fine right-footed strikes in the 68th and 80th minutes, the latter of which deflected off the back of Harriet Muller for an own goal.
The victory is Carol Kanyemba’s first-ever win at the tournament and she has made history as the first female Zambian coach to guide a national team to the knockout stage of a World Cup at any level.
“It’s the best feeling, I want to say thank you to God who made it possible for girls to have strength, to have concentration and get us a clean sheet, it’s our first clean sheet as well,” Kanyemba said.
“It was excellent, it was a wonderful experience for everyone because the girls put in their all and I think the result is evidence of what you get out of hard work and concentration. So I think it’s a big lesson to the girls.”
The Copper Princesses will now face Canada in the round 16 on Wednesday.
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