Kanyemba Names Provisional Squad for U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

15.02.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️

Zambia U17 Women’s National Team coach, Carol Kanyemba, has named a 35-member provisional squad ahead of next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 qualifiers. The team is set to enter camp this weekend in preparation for their crucial two-legged second-round tie against Tanzania.

The Copper Princesses will play the first leg in the first week of March, with the return fixture scheduled for the following week. Should Zambia emerge victorious, they will advance to the third round, where they will face the winner of the fixtures involving Congo, Benin, DR Congo, and Niger. This stage will be decisive in determining whether Zambia secures a spot at the global tournament for the second consecutive time.

Key Selections

Notably, Aston Villa youth player Jessica Cholwe Johnson has been included in the squad, offering international experience to the team. National Assembly goalkeeper Decent Mbewe has also earned a place, strengthening the team’s defensive options.

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be historic, as it will be the first-ever edition hosted on African soil. With Zambia looking to make back-to-back appearances at the tournament, Kanyemba and her squad will be keen to make their mark on the qualifiers.

35-Member Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Mary Nyangu (YASA Queens)

Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves Queens)

Decent Mbewe (National Assembly)

Anita Chomba (Young Green Buffaloes)

Defenders

Nana Malanda (Play It Forward)

Treasa Mubiana (Play It Forward)

Natasha Nkaka (Choma Warriors)

Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows)

Precious Mwape (Luyando Foundation)

Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies)

Tabitha Nyirenda (Driven Queens)

Ireen Mweemba (Marvelous Academy)

Febby Chewe (Bwacha Pirates)

Midfielders

Taonga Mubanga (YASA Queens)

Hellen Misozi Banda (Play It Forward)

Precious Mwewa (Candice Academy)

Tricia Mabamba (Nchanga Queens)

Taonga Tembo (Young Green Buffaloes)

Lillian Mwenda (Elite Ladies)

Gift Chisha (Elite Ladies)

Leah Mulenga (Chalube Girls)

Natasha Kasema (Ingwe Girls)

Sharon Siakaloba (Pemba Queens)

Strikers

Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles)

Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens)

Grace Phiri (Play It Forward)

Janet Chirwa (Young Green Buffaloes)

Faith Kaunda (Zedpro Academy)

Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows)

Ruth Mukoma (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Natasha Chileshe (Zesco Ndola Girls)

Hellen Sichamba (Elite Ladies)

Esther Makoti (Amazing Grace)

Pervis Kangalangala (Lunchu Queens)

Jessica Cholwe Johnson (Aston Villa – England)

With a mix of local talent and international experience, Kanyemba’s squad is poised for a competitive campaign as they chase World Cup qualification. Can the Copper Princesses secure another historic appearance on the global stage? All eyes will be on them in the coming weeks.