IN BUOYANT MOOD

…as Kanyemba plots strategy in FIFA Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifier against Congo DR

By BENEDICT TEMBO

ZAMBIA Under-17 women’s national team head coach, Carol Kanyemba, has expressed confidence ahead of her side’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 qualifier return leg against the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite anticipating a tougher contest in Lubumbashi this Saturday.

Kanyemba, whose team thrashed DR Congo 5–0 in the first leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, believes the Congolese will make the second leg physically and mentally demanding, but insists the margin is too wide to overturn if her players remain disciplined.

“Making the game difficult for us in Lubumbashi is possible, but reversing the score-line is not possible as long as our girls remain focused and understand the importance of qualifying to the World Cup,” she said.

The coach emphasised the need to strengthen the mental resilience of her squad, noting that the reverse fixture will involve “a lot of mind games.”

 She praised her players’ composure in possession and positional discipline, stressing that even partial execution of training instructions would be enough to secure progress.

Kanyemba has also used the qualifiers to broaden her squad depth, introducing new players and experimenting with roles.

Josephine Change, who featured as a forward against Rwanda, was deployed at right back against DR Congo.

Fresh faces such as Prodia Mwiinga (centre-forward), Phidah Muzuwa (winger), and Fridah Mupeta Ndashe (attacking midfielder) were handed debuts, while Blessings Mutale and Dorcas Mulosha also saw action from the bench.

“The best way to defend is to attack. We keep possession most of the time and deny them creation of scoring opportunities,” Kanyemba explained, underscoring her attacking philosophy.

Victory in Lubumbashi will seal Zambia’s place among the 24 teams competing at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, scheduled for October 17 to November 2026 in Rabat.

The decisive second leg will be staged at Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba.

Ends