Copper Princesses out to finish off the job in Dar 

The Zambia U17 Women’s National Team will be looking to seal their progression to the third round of the  2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. 

The Copper Princesses carry a five goal advantage from the first leg and will hope to do a double on their Tanzanian counterparts. 

Head coach Carol Kanyemba is confident the team is determined enough to see off Tanzania at home and qualify to the next round. 

Kanyemba says the team is aiming to score as many goals as they can while holding Tanzania. 

“The aim is to hold Tanzania, and try to score as many goals as possible. We want to qualify for the next round because we have the upper hand,” she said. 

“Tanzania is hotter than Zambia, but we have been adapting well.”

“This is the same Tanzania we played at home. The determination that our girls have is what makes me believe we are going to fight and qualify to the next round,” she added. 

Skipper of the side Blessings Zangose Zulu believes the team is ready for the match. 

“It’s been good so far, we blend well, the morale is high and we are ready for the game. We have been working and pushing together as a team,” she said.

“As a team our target is not to allow any goals and get either a win or a draw.”

Bwalya Namute Chileshe, Mercy Chipasula and Saliya Mwanza are expected to lead the attack. 

Ruth Muwowo who came from the bench to score the fifth goal at Nkoloma could find her way into the starting line up. 

Blessings Zangose Zulu and Harriet Matipa will be the creative duo in the middle of the park with Mapalo Maluba as the protector of the back four. 

Luyando Foundation Girls’ Margaret Gondwe is expected to continue at the heart of defense alongside Eunice Bwalya with the enterprising Natasha Nkaka at right back. 

The 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup second round, return leg qualifier against the Serengeti Girls of Tanzania will kick off at 18:00 hrs Zambian time. 

The overall winner over two legs will face Uganda  in the third round after they saw off Cameroon. 

The 2024 World Cup will be hosted by the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3.

Zambia featured at the 2014 World Cup in Costa Rica. Goalkeeper Hazel Nali, Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda featured at that tournament. 

Three African teams qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in the Dominican Republic after round four of the qualifiers.