Kanyemba Names 36-Member Provisional Squad for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

12.09.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️

The Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team, fondly known as the Copper Princesses, has officially begun preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025. Head coach Carol Kanyemba has named a 36-member provisional squad for a local training camp set to start this Sunday.

Kanyemba has kept faith in the core group of players that secured Zambia a historic back-to-back qualification to the global showpiece. Leading the squad is team captain Mercy Chipasula, who will spearhead the team’s charge as they aim to make a strong statement on the world stage.

Road to Morocco

The Copper Princesses will first hold their local camp before proceeding for an international training camp as part of their final build-up. Zambia has been placed in Group F alongside Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay.

The group will be based in Salé, a picturesque city in northwestern Morocco, situated on the right bank of the Bou Regreg River.

19 October – Zambia vs Paraguay (Football Academy Mohammed VI)

22 October – Zambia vs Japan (Football Academy Mohammed VI)

25 October – Zambia vs New Zealand (venue to be confirmed)

This will be Zambia’s third appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having previously featured in 2014, 2024, and now 2025.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Bukata Kakumbia (Police Doves), Loveness Chingwele (Muza Queens), Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly), Gertrude Nkhoma (Young Green Buffaloes), Winfridah Mutale (Elite Ladies)

Defenders

Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Natasha Nkaka (Green Eagles Women), Nana Malanda (Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation), Gift Mazimba (Elite Ladies), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows Women), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies), Theresa Mubiana (Amazing Grace), Tabith Nyirenda (Driven Queens)

Midfielders

Tangon Mubanga (Yasa Queens), Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Sharon Siakaloba (Pemba Queens), Taonga Tembo (Young Green Buffaloes), Precious Mwewa (Candice Academy), Brenda Mwewa (Nchanga Queens), Leah Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Fiath Kajiya (Elite Ladies), Natasha Chileshe (Zesco Ndola Girls), Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace)

Strikers

Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles), Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows Women), Victoria Mbali (Young Green Buffaloes), Hellen Sichamba (Elite Ladies), Blessings Chiumya (Elite Ladies), Wendy Mwikisa (Elite Ladies), Esther Mutinta (Choma Warriors), Carol Nsondo (Choma Warriors), Ruth Nakazwe (Bauleni United Sports Academy)

Looking Ahead

With an exciting blend of experience and youthful talent, the Copper Princesses are determined to fly Zambia’s flag high in Morocco. Having made history with their qualification, the focus now shifts to making a bigger impact on the global stage.

Can the Copper Princesses go beyond the group stages this time? The journey begins on 19 October against Paraguay.