Carol Kanyemba has made history as the first female Zambian coach to lead a national team to a FIFA World Cup, guiding Zambia’s U-17 women’s national team, the Copper Princesses, to the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This achievement marks Zambia’s return to the global stage in women’s youth football after a decade.
Under Kanyemba’s leadership, the Copper Princesses faced significant challenges during their qualifying journey. Despite training on a humble basketball court due to facility limitations, they displayed resilience and determination, ultimately defeating Morocco with a 3-1 aggregate score to secure their spot in the World Cup.
Reflecting on this historic achievement, Kanyemba expressed her pride and honor in qualifying for such a prestigious tournament and emphasized the significance of doing so as a female coach. Her success not only underscores her coaching prowess but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for young players and coaches in Zambia and across Africa.
The Copper Princesses’ qualification comes ten years after Zambia’s senior women’s national team, the Copper Queens, made their World Cup debut. Now, with a new generation of talented players, Zambia aims to make a lasting impression on the global stage at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
As they prepare for the tournament, the Copper Princesses are determined to uphold their nation’s pride and showcase the burgeoning talent in Zambian women’s football. Carol Kanyemba’s trailblazing achievement opens doors for future generations, setting a strong precedent for women in coaching and empowering young athletes to dream big and achieve their goals in football.