Carol Kanyemba Unveils Final 21-Member Copper Princesses Squad

Zambia Under-17 Women National Team Carol Kanyemba-Daka has unveiled the final 21-member squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024, which will run from 16 October to 4 November in the Dominican Republic.

Copper Princesses will compete at the 16-team tournament, where Zambia has been drawn in Group D alongside Brazil, Japan, and Poland.

Speaking during a press briefing, Kanyemba states that the squad has prepared adequately, adding that the team will compete favourably at the age group competition.

Daka said the local camp was competitive and helped the technical team pick a Copper Princesses side that would put up expected performances with any team in the world.

“We came up with this squad based on performance and for the betterment of the nation. Zambia is for everyone, and whoever is eligible and can play deserves to play on this team. Our aim for coming up with the team is to be able to deliver to the nation what is expected considering that women’s football is on the rise,” Daka said.

“Even as we go for our second World Cup appearance at the U17 level, we aim to set a better record than what we set in 2014. Every player that has been picked in the final squad deserves to be here; we believe in them, and they will be able to deliver.”

The Copper Princesses will open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on 18 October before facing Poland on 20 October and Japan on 23 October. All Zambia’s pool matches will be played at the Estadio Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo.