FLIGHT MOROCCO 2026: Kanyemba Names 36-Member Provisional Squad for Rwanda World Cup Qualifier

04.04.2026 | Football DNA

Zambia women's national under-17 football team head coach Carol Kanyemba has named a 36-member provisional squad as the team intensifies preparations for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda women's national under-17 football team.

Zambia will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on April 17 at Pele Stadium, before hosting the return leg five days later at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The aggregate winner will progress to the second round of qualifiers where either Djibouti or Democratic Republic of the Congo awaits.

Among the notable call-ups is England-based midfielder Jessica Johnson, who plays for Aston Villa W.F.C. and is expected to join the team in the final phase of preparations.

Coach Kanyemba has been running phased training camps to assess new players before trimming the squad to 36. The team is expected to be reduced further in the final week before the qualifiers.

The qualification campaign consists of three rounds, with four African teams expected to secure places at the tournament alongside hosts Morocco, who automatically qualify.

Zambia will be hoping to secure a third consecutive appearance at the global tournament, having qualified for the last two editions.

Morocco has also been granted hosting rights for five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will now be staged annually.

Zambia’s first appearance at the tournament came in 2014, producing stars such as Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Hazel Nali, Ireen Lungu, Martha Tembo and Mary Wilombe, who have since become key figures in Zambian women’s football.

Full Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers:

Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly), Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves), Carol Mweetwa (Barts Queens), Charity Zulu (Choma Warriors)

Defenders:

Patrina Moonga (Kalomo), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies), Tabitha Nyirenda, Ruth Nachivula (Driven Queens), Febby Musonda (Bwacha Pirates), Chricencia Phiri (Radar Queens), Peace Muleya (Pemba Queens), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves)

Midfielders:

Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Taonga Mubanga (Yasa Queens), Jessica Johnson (Aston Villa – England), Natasha Chileshe (ZISD Women), Precious Mwewa, Dorcas Mulosha (Candice Girls Academy), Leah Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Lillian Mwenda (Elite Ladies), Falesi Fitili (Luanshya Arts), Veronica Phiri (Yasa Queens), Susan Mulungwa (Green Eagles), Fridah Mupeta (Power Dynamos), Fatima Chulu (Nampundwe Queens)

Strikers:

Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Faith Kapilingo (Elite Ladies), Blessings Mutale (Young Green Buffaloes), Josephine Change (Nchanga Rangers Queens), Elizabeth Mofya (Green Buffaloes), Blessings Kabangula (Stars Queens), Ethel Njobvu (Young Green Buffaloes), Janet Musonda (Ingwe Girls).