Zambia coach Kanyemba names squad for Rwanda World Cup test

The Zambia U-17 Women national team has stepped up preparations for the back-to-back Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda with coach Carol Kanyemba summoning 36 players for duty.

Zambia will be away to Rwanda in Kigali on April 17 at the Pele Stadium before hosting the East Africans five days later at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium with the winner qualifying to the second round where either Djibouti or DR Congo await.

Kanyemba has summoned England based Jessica Choolwe who is on the books of Aston Villa and is expected to join in the final stanza of preparations.

Kanyemba has been overseeing preparations

The U17 FIFA World Cup qualification process covers three rounds which will result in four flag carriers for Africa who will join already hosts Morocco whose ticket is automatic.

Kanyemba has been overseeing preparations over phased camps that saw her assess new comers before narrowing her options to the 36 lasses.

The team will be trimmed further in the final week of preparations. Zambia has qualified for the last two U17 FIFA World Cups and is looking to adding a third consecutive ticket.

Morocco has been awarded the rights to host five consecutive U17 FIFA women world cups with the tournament now held on a yearly basis.

The first ever participation in the U17 FIFA World Cup was in 2014 which birthed stars like Barbra Banda, Ireene Lungu, Grace Chanda, Martha Tembo, Hazel Nali and Mary Wilombe.

Zambia full provisional squad;

Goalkeepers; Mary Nyangu (Yasa Queens), Decent Mbewe (National Assembly), Bukata Kakumbi (Police Doves), Carol Mweetwa (Barts Queens), Charity Zulu (Choma Warriors).

Defenders; Patrina Moonga (Kalomo), Faith Kaunda (ZedPro Academy), Esther Ngabwe (Elite Ladies), Tabitha Nyirenda, Ruth Nachivula (both Driven Queens), (Febby Musonda (Bwacha Pirates), Chricencia Phiri (Radar Queens), Peace Muleya (Pemba Queens), Beatrice Njobvu (Red Arrows), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Doves).

Midfielders; Natasha Kasema (Green Buffaloes), Taonga Mubanga (Yasa Queens), Jessica Johnson (Aston Villa-England), Natasha Chileshe (ZISD Women), Precious Mwewa, Dorcas Mulosha (both Candice Girls Academy), Leah Mulenga (Chalube Queens), Lillian Mwenda (Elite Ladies), Falesi Fitili (Luanshya Arts), Veronica Phiri (Yasa Queens), Susan Mulungwa (Green Eagles), Fridah Mupeta (Power Dynamos), Fatima Chulu Nampundwe Queens).

Strikers; Grace Phiri (Indeni Roses), Faith Kapilingo (Elite Ladies), Blessings Mutale (Young Green Buffaloes), Josephine Change (Nchanga Rangers Queens), Elozabeth Mofya (Green Buffaloes), Blessings Kabangula (Stars Queens), Ethel Njobvu (Young Green Buffaloes), Janet Musonda (Ingwe Girls).