By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Zambia U-17 woman national team coach Carol Kanyemba believes her team will get the minimum of a draw away in the final leg against Ethiopia to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup despite Saturday’s narrow 2-1 home win in the first leg over their opponents at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Saturday’s victory put Zambia just 90 minutes away from a third successive FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification and fourth overall since 2014.
Kanyemba said in her post-match interview at Levy Stadium that she is satisfied with Zambia’s home win and that the team is on course to attaining the objective to qualify for the Morocco tournament.
The two sides went into the break tied at one-all after Precious Mwewa gave Zambia the lead in the 14th minute.
Mihiret Abebe equalised for Ethiopia from a free kick in the 40th, but Zambia sealed the win in the 54th minute through Phidah Muzuwa.
“Definitely we need to protect what we have, which is a lead. And going that side, we’ll be able to manage the game. And as I said earlier on, even the girls themselves have understood the intensity and the importance of the game. So as they step on the pitch in the away game, they know that it will not be an easy game,” Kanyemba said.
Kanyemba stressed that they expected a hostile reception in the final leg in Addis Ababa this weekend.
“Starting from the treatment before the game, the harassments before the game and on the pitch, they know that victory is sweeter if you are harassed before the game and during the game,” she said.
“So even as we go into the next fixture, that will be part of the mind of the players. They’ll know what is at stake. We do our work on the pitch as coaches. We do our psychological part. The match day is up to the girls and we shall prepare them for that match day. So that they get the results that we want and qualify to the World Cup.”
Morocco are going to host the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup from October 17 to November 7.
