OUR AIM IS TO GO PAST THE GROUP STAGE – KANYEMBA

02.10.2025 I Football DNA ⚽️

Carol Kanyemba Daka Zambia U17 WNT Coach

Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team coach, Carol Kanyemba, says her side is determined to go beyond the group stage at the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Speaking to FAZ Media after a training session at the Reiz Arena, Kanyemba reflected on the lessons from last year’s campaign, where Zambia exited in the first round. She emphasized that while expectations are high, the team is ready to rise to the challenge.

“Definitely it’s a lot of pressure going to the same stage in a space of one year twice. There is a lot of expectation among ourselves and that is what we are working on, telling the girls that a lot is expected from us,” Kanyemba said.

Having already made back-to-back appearances at the global stage, the coach believes this year presents an opportunity for the girls to show maturity and improvement.

“Last year we went as amateurs, with less knowledge about the tournament and the teams we played. This year we are going back with a lot of expectations. Personally, I have an aim to go past the group stage together with the girls, and that is what we are encouraging them to do.”

Importance of Preparation

Kanyemba stressed that preparation will be key if Zambia is to compete effectively. She noted the need for high-profile preparatory matches before the tournament kicks off.

“We can be as confident as we are, but without high-profile games, the first matches we play at the World Cup will feel like friendlies. That won’t be good enough and won’t bring anything different,” she explained.

Competition Within the Squad

The coach also welcomed the growing competition in the squad, with new players eager to make their FIFA World Cup debuts.

“There is a lot of competition because the new ones want to go for the first time on the global stage and have something to prove. They want to be better than the team that played last year,” she said.

She further pointed out that the experience of players from the 2024 edition could be both an asset and a challenge.

“If they become complacent, it can be a disadvantage. But if they use it positively, we are going to have a good performance.”

Group F Assignments

Zambia has been drawn in Group F alongside Paraguay, Japan, and New Zealand. The team will set up base in Morocco for their preparatory camp before heading into the tournament.

19 October – Zambia vs Paraguay (Football Academy Mohammed VI, Pitch 3, Sale)

22 October – Zambia vs Japan (same venue)

25 October – Zambia vs New Zealand (Football Academy Mohammed VI, Pitch 2)

The top two teams in the group will progress to the knockout stage, something Kanyemba and her charges are determined to achieve.