By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Zambia U17 Women’s coach Carol Kanyemba has described her historic feat as the first female to qualify a national team to a major competition as overwhelming after her team clinched a 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals spot.
Kanyemba’s girls on Saturday evening drew 0-0 away to Morocco in their last round, final leg decider played in Berkane.
The result sees Zambia qualify to the Dominican Republic tournament 3-1 on aggregate after beating Morocco by the same margin in the first leg in Lusaka a week ago.
“Wow, it’s very overwhelming, the best experience ever being the first woman at the helm to qualify a team to a big tournament,” Kanyemba said.
The feeling is very good and positive but I do not take all the glory and I want to say thank to the girls because they put up a very spirited performance.
“But as much as we told them what to do, it took their attitude to achieve this feat. “
This is Zambia’s second ever FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification since making their debut at Costa Rica 2014 where the bulk of the current senior team led by Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda made their international bow.
“The fact that we beat Morocco 3-1 at home was testament that the girls wanted this a lot,” Kanyemba said.
“I know we never scored any goals here in Morocco but this spirited performance that the girls put up was that they didn’t want o allow any goals.
“We thank God we did it and we are through to the World Cup.”
Kanyemba also disclosed that they now await the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup draws before making their preliminary camping and friendly program.
Zambia will be one of Africa’s three representatives at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup the Dominican Republic will host from October 16 to November 3, 2024.
Nigeria qualified on Friday after a 6-1 aggregate win over Liberia.
By presstime on Sunday, Kenya were in action at home against Burundi and enjoying a 3-0 away first leg lead over their guests yesterday.
