U-20 WWC (Q): Zambia coach Mwila positive ahead of Uganda clash

Zambia U-20 Girls’ national team head coach Florence Mwila says her team is ready, and prepared to face Uganda’s physical and high-pressing style when the two sides meet on Saturday.

Mwila believes Zambia now understands Uganda better after playing them in the first leg of the second round of the under- 20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Kampala.

Joy and energy fill the Queen Cranes camp during today’s training ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers return leg against Zambia on 14th February 2026 in Ndola.#WomenFootballUG | #FIFAU20WWCQ pic.twitter.com/LRtPhNGjIK

— FUFA Women (@FUFAWomen) February 10, 2026

Speaking to FAZ Media after training at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola, Mwila said the team has learned important lessons from the first encounter. She added the experience Zambia gathered will help her players handle Uganda’s strength and intensity when they meet again at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

“Advantage is we have tested Uganda’

“The advantage is that we have now tested Uganda. We now know how they play. We now know how they approach the game. Yes, I talked about the physicality of Uganda before we even left but now, we tested it.” Mwila told FAZ Media.

The coach said the team has been working on correcting the tactical mistakes made in the first leg. She said since arriving in Ndola on Monday, the players have focused on improving key areas of their game.

Mwila is confident her side can deal with Uganda’s physical pressure and speed by making better decisions and keeping their play simple.

“The girls have already played Uganda and so we know how to overcome that and we need to be wise in how we make decisions playing players that are very aggressive. We also need to be aggressive,” added Mwila.

“When you have an opponent that is fast and strong you don’t keep the ball too long because by the time you are holding it and trying to think of where to take the ball because they are fast and they are strong; by the time you are thinking of where to go they have already taken the ball.”

Zambia will approach Uganda with cautious

Mwila said her team will approach the match with caution especially that Uganda can be aggressive and quick in transition. She explained that Uganda’s pressing game in the first leg made it difficult for Zambia to play their usual possession football.

“Like we all saw the game, Uganda were aggressive and they were quick which made it difficult for us to really play our game; a possession game because we could not keep possession; hence us losing possession cheaply,” explained Mwila.

“This forced us to start playing direct football, long balls so that we remove the pressure from our own half.”

With lessons learned from the first leg, Mwila believes her team is better prepared and ready to deliver a stronger performance at home.

The Young Copper Queens secured a 1-1 draw away to Teen Cranes in the first leg of the third round FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers played at FUFA Stadium in Kampala.