Kanyemba Warns Copper Princesses Against Complacency Ahead of Rwanda Clash

Zambia Under-17 Women’s national team coach Carol Kanyemba has urged her players to remain focused and grounded after the Copper Princesses were drawn against Rwanda in the first round of the Morocco 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Reacting to the draw, Kanyemba admitted that Zambia appear favourites on paper but warned against underestimating the East Africans.

“Zambia has been drawn against Rwanda in the first round of the 2026 qualifiers. This comes in as a very good draw on paper. Zambia are favourites to go through,” Kanyemba said. “But the game has been developing every day and you cannot underrate any team.”

She emphasized the importance of mental preparation as Zambia targets a third consecutive World Cup qualification.

“So we as coaches will need to psych our girls to be positive and to take every game seriously,” she added.

Zambia head into the qualifiers with a blend of experience and transition, with several players moving on from the previous squad.

“We are coming to this round of qualifiers with players that have graduated from the previous under 17 that we went with to the World Cup. About 10 of the girls that we went with at the World Cup have graduated,” Kanyemba revealed. “So it’s our duty now to start recruiting new players that will be able to blend in the team’s philosophy.”

Kanyemba expressed confidence that the experienced players would help integrate new faces as the team chases history.

“We believe that the players that have been there will be able to embrace the new players and bring a positive impact, qualify to the World Cup for the third time consecutively,” she said.

Zambia will play the first leg away to Rwanda between April 10 and 12, before hosting the return fixture a week later in Ndola. Kanyemba believes starting away could work in Zambia’s favour.

“Every game that you start away always gives you an upper hand and an advantage,” she noted. “We’re going to work on our finishing because that always gives an advantage.”

The winner will face DR Congo or Djibouti in the second round in May, with third-round clashes potentially against South Sudan, Ethiopia, Malawi or Burundi.

The Copper Princesses previously qualified for the 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic and 2025 in Morocco, and will be aiming to go one step further in 2026.