New Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the World Cup bound-Copper Princesses to build on their Cosafa Under-17 Girls’ Championship title-winning success.
Zambia’s budding generation of football stars secured a third title triumph in the competition following a 3-0 success over Malawi in the final of the 2025 edition played at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Captain Ruth Mukoma, Natasha Kasema and Gift Chisha were the scorers in a strong display.
The Copper Princesses claimed a third regional crown in this age-group, making them the most successful team with Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa the other winners since the inaugural event in 2019.
The latest success marks a positive start to Mweemba’s tenure who assumed office last week. He urges the team to carry the momentum into their third appearance at the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup which takes place in Morocco.
“Congratulations to the team, technical bench and support staff for earning Zambia a record third Cosafa title at under-17 level for women. As an executive and the entire football family, we are very proud of you,” Mweemba said in a statement yesterday.
“It is now time to focus on the forthcoming assignments, particularly the Fifa World Cup. Let this inspire the team to aspire for greater things especially at the World Cup.”
Zambia’s high commissioner to Namibia, Stephen Katuka, hosted the Copper Princesses for a special dinner after their triumph in Windhoek.
“The dinner was a moment of celebration and national pride as Carol Kanyemba’s side presented their winners’ trophy and individual accolades to ambassador Katuka,” FAZ said in a post on its Facebook page
Individually, goalkeeper Bukata Kakumbi won the golden glove award after conceding just one goal throughout the tournament while captain Ruth Mukoma was named player of the tournament, both replicating the feat of 2024 winners Loveness Chingwele and Mercy Chipasula respectively.
“Huge congratulations to this dedicated and talented group of players. Huge congratulations to the technical staff and entire delegation for all the sleepless nights,” said Lineker Mwiikisa, the Zambian team’s video analyst.
“It’s such a great privilege to work with a dedicated technical team and a group of talented players who are the future of Zambian football. Their performance was outstanding and they deserve a pat on the back.”
Meanwhile, Mozambique took the bronze medal with a seesaw 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in the third- place play-off earlier on Saturday.
Thandy Nassone gave Mozambique the lead, but Zimbabwe hit back via Shantell Mugute. That joy was short-lived as Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tanyaradzwa Nyamucherera netted an own goal.
Zimbabwe were level again when Dee Mapuwa scored her sixth goal of the tournament to finish one behind the tournament’s leading scorer Nancy Lebang from hosts Namibia.
But the winner for Mozambique came with seven minutes remaining as Jessica Andicene found the back of the net.
Malawi took home the fair play award to go with their best finish at the tournament.
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