Zambia Targets First-Leg Victory Over Burundi in U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Zambia’s U-20 women’s national team will face Burundi on Friday in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Bujumbura, with the Junior Copper Queens determined to secure an away advantage. The return fixture will be held on September 27 at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where Zambia hopes to complete the job and progress to the third round.

The overall winner across two legs will advance in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Poland.

Head coach Charity Nthala expressed satisfaction with the team’s adaptation to conditions in Bujumbura and praised their positive spirit.
“The players have responded well to the training session,” Nthala said. “According to the weather, they have adapted without difficulty. We had to hold this training session in the morning so that they could stretch and have some workouts so their bodies could come back to normal. Just expect the win because the girls are very geared up and have good morale.”

Delegation leader Sandra Ngunga echoed the coach’s confidence, emphasizing the importance of starting strong away from home.
“Being the first World Cup qualifier we are playing against Burundi, I would like to encourage the girls to put in maximum focus,” Ngunga said. “We want to return with three points. We don’t want to go back with zero points. Winning away will make it much easier for us to finish the job at home.”

The Junior Copper Queens are aiming for a strong performance to keep alive their dream of reaching the global stage in Poland.