U-20 WWC (Q): Zambia ready for Uganda test – Mwila

Zambia U-20 women national team coach Florence Mwila says having U-17 players from the FIFA World Cup, squad would help inspire the rest of the squad to aim for a debut world cup appearance.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s third round, first leg FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uganda, Mwila said the squad would also benefit from some of the players that had also earned senior team call-ups.

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“It means some of them would have played under-17 World Cup and are part of the U-20 qualifying processes. So, it is motivational for both us as technical and the team and players as well,” Mwila told FAZ Media.

‘Our strategy is just to psych the players’

Mwila further said her team is motivated by the prospect of being the first U-20 women world cup to qualify to the FIFA World Cup.

“The motivation is being the first to do it. The pressure is that everyone is looking at the team that it has to qualify to the World Cup. So, there is pressure and there is also motivation in it,” Mwila explained.

“So, we just need to know how to manage it. We are also encouraging the players that they are the ones that are going to make history because they are the ones that will be the first ones to qualify at this age group, especially those that are coming from U-17.”

Mwila noted that the aim is to make sure the team records a positive result in the first leg.

“I know that starting away can be a bit challenging because they have the 12th player in the home ground. But we just need to psych our players psychologically that they need to be prepared playing against the 12th player,” she said.

“Our strategy is just to psych the players to concentrate and we know what our aim is and what our target is for.”

The Zambia team are chasing their debut FIFA World Cup appearance and will face Uganda over two legs in the penultimate qualifying round.

Florence Mwila Highlights Value of U-17 World Cup Experience

Mwila emphasized that having players who have already competed on the global stage at Under-17 level is a major psychological boost for the group as they chase qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

“It means some of them would have played Under-17 World Cup and are part of the U-20 qualifying process. So, it is motivational for both us as the technical team and for the players as well,” Mwila told Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Media.

The presence of these players helps raise standards within camp, as teammates are inspired by those who have already tested themselves against elite international opposition.

Zambia U-20 Women National Team Fueled by Historic Ambition

According to Florence Mwila, motivation within the Zambia U-20 women national team is driven by the desire to be the first Zambian U-20 women’s side to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.

“The motivation is being the first to do it. The pressure is that everyone is looking at the team and expects it to qualify to the World Cup,” Mwila explained.
“So there is pressure, but there is also motivation in it.”

She added that managing that pressure effectively is key, especially for young players who are still developing emotionally and mentally at international level.