Zambia U20 Women Begin World Cup Qualifier Preparations
The Zambia Under-20 Women’s National Team has started preparations for the upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, with a 34-member provisional squad named for the second-round clashes against Burundi on September 19 and 27.
The team has regrouped in Lusaka for the first phase of training ahead of the crucial fixtures. Zambia is targeting its maiden qualification to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, set for 2026, and aims to build on the momentum from their recent COSAFA triumph.
The provisional squad maintains the core of the players who helped lift the COSAFA crown, combining experienced campaigners with emerging talent. The training camp will be used to fine-tune combinations and assess players before narrowing the squad for the Burundi encounters.
Zambia will play Burundi over two legs, with the aggregate winner advancing to the third round to face either Uganda or Namibia. The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers consist of four rounds, with the eventual winners facing teams from the fixtures involving Togo, Tunisia, Ghana, Eswatini, and South Africa for a coveted World Cup spot.
Key players in the provisional squad include goalkeeper Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), midfielders Bupe Banda and Masela Sekeseke (Red Arrows), and striker Mary Mbewe (Zesco Ndola Girls). The full 34-member squad also features a mix of talent from top clubs across the Zambian league.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Mary Nyangu (Yasa), Loveness Chingwele (Muza), Abigail Chinguse (Konkola Blades)
(DEFENDERS)
Esther Musialela, Justina Zulu (both Zanaco Ladies), Margaret Gondwe, Jessy Zulu (both Green Buffaoes), Lweendo Hanongo (Driven Queens), Luty Kamanga (Yasa), Fridah Mbao (Pataaki Queens), Eunice Mutonyi (Police Doves), Kampamba Mulenga (Nchanga Queens), Mwaziona Sakala (Red Arrows)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Bupe Banda, Masela Sekeseke (both Red Arrows), Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Pumulo Lubasi, Blessings Zangose (both Zanaco Ladies), Eunice Bwalya, Harriet Matipa (both Yasa), Gift Chilwizhi (Kamfinsa), Naomi Banda (Kwacha Queens), Brenda Mwewa, Barbra Chewe, Tricia Mabamba (all Nchanga Rangers Queens), Ireen Mweemba (Marvelous Girls),
(STRIKERS)
Jessy Bwalya (Nkwazi Queens), Angela Galufu (Kamfinsa), Mary Mbewe (Zesco Ndola Girls), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace Academy), Chisola Ng’andu (Konkola Blades Queens), Edith Phiri (Indeni Roses Queens), Carol Nsondo (Choma Warriors
