Linosi Victoria

ROAD TO MOROCCO 2026: Kanyemba Summons 36 for April U-17 WWCQ Against Rwanda

The Zambia Under-17 Women National Team will commence preparations for the qualifiers for the Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup with 36 players summoned for duty by Coach Carol Kanyemba.
Kanyemba’s side will be away to Rwanda on April 10-12 in the first leg of the first round race before hosting the East Africans a week later.

The winner between Rwanda and Zambia will face either DR Congo or Djibouti with a final round looming where the possibilities could be Malawi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Burundi.

Four slots are up for grabs in Africa with the host nation Morocco already qualified having secured rights to host for five consecutive years.

Zambia has made back-to-back appearances at the U-17 FIFA World Cup level in 2024 (Dominican Republic) and 2025 (Morocco).
The Copper Princesses’ debut FIFA World Cup appearance was in 2014 when the class comprising Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, Hazel Nali, Martha Tembo and Ireene Lungu burst onto the global scene in Costa Rica.

With the bulk of the youngsters that played at the 2024 and 2025 FIFA World Cups graduating to the next level, the technical bench has scoured around for new talent that they are grooming for the 2026 edition.

PROVISIOANL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Winfridah Mutale (Elite Ladies), Carol Mweetwa (Barts FC), Deborah Phiri (Canaan Sports Foundation)

(DEFENDERS)

Patrina Moonga (Kalomo Queens), Salome Nalwimba (Sporting Dove), Ruth Nachivula (Driven Queens), Fatima Chuulu (Nampundwe Queens), Catherine Kapolyo (Amazing Grace), Loveness Daka (Young Elite Ladies), Chricencia Phiri (Radar Queens), Monica Chikonde (Aguila Stars), Evarine Lukwanda (Canaan Sports Foundation), Natasha Mwanza (Forest Rangers Women), Peace Muleya (Pemba Queens), Catherine Hichoombolwa (Luyando Foundation)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Grace Simangolwa (Lusaka Sky Sports), Phalesi Fitili (Luanshya Arts Sports Academy), Ethel Njobvu (Young Green Buffaloes), Astridah Musonda (Lunchu Queens), Naomi Banda (Power Dynamos), Catherine Namitondo (Nampundwe Queens), Matildah Hambulo (National Assembly), Daleen Mbewe (Misisi Queens), Charity Chileshe (Maina Soko Queens)

(STRIKERS)

Hildah Kangwa (Busa), Fridah Munsanje (Barts Queens), Dorcas Mulosha (Candice), Sharon Lweendo (Ingwe Girls), Patience Mulenga), Vwanganji Nampemba (both Blue Young Stars Girls), Agness Ondya, Blessings Mutale (both Young Green Buffaloes), Beatrice Chipupula, Luyando Banda (both Aguila Stars), Ndashe Mupeta (Power Dynamos), Josephine Changa Changa (Nchanga Rangers Queens).

I can’t wait to be back at heroes stadium 🏟️.

ZAMBIAN JUDOKAS SETTLE IN FRANCE AND COMMENCE TRAINING .

Zambia’s Judokas Rita Kabinda and Simon Zulu have successfully settled in France and have commenced training at the Regional Youth and Sports Centre (CRJS) in Petit-Couronne, a high-performance facility for elite athlete development.

The two athletes are in France under the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Programme, which provides world-class training opportunities for promising athletes as part of their long-term development and preparation for international competition.

Since their arrival, Rita and Simon have been undergoing training under high-performance conditions. As part of their training and exposure programme, the Zambian Judokas will compete in the Paris Grand Slam, scheduled for Saturday, 7th February,2026 at the Accor Arena in Paris.

The tournament attracts some of the world’s top Judokas and offers valuable competitive experience and international ranking points.

Their participation in the Paris Grand Slam forms part of a broader development pathway aimed at preparing the athletes for sustained success on the international stage, including the pursuit of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Credit JAZ

Good game guys, a draw is okay away. Let’s win at home 💪🏼👏🏼.

Zambia handball mens national team has lost 36-18 to Nigeria in their second group A game of the African nations championship.
This comes barely 24hrs since they lost 30-19 to host Rwanda 🇷🇼 in the opening match.
The final group game is up against Algeria tomorrow January 23.

The last time Morocco 🇲🇦 won the AFCON 🤭😄.