The girls maintained a perfect record in the group stage, securing their place in the last four with a disciplined and clinical display.
Girls Shine Bright
Star striker Phidah Muzuwa continued her sensational form, scoring her fourth goal of the tournament in a 1-0 victory over Morocco. She also added her fifth goal in a 3-1 win over hosts Zimbabwe in the “Battle of the Zambezi.”
Muzuwa had earlier scored a hat-trick against DR Congo in the opening match.
Head coach Chisala Chibesa was full of praise for his team’s determination:
“We needed to send a strong message to the other teams. The girls showed great determination and we are here not just to participate but to compete and win.”
Goalkeeper Winfridah Mutale (Super Magnet) has been outstanding, conceding just two goals so far. Loveness Daka has impressed in an unfamiliar centre-back role, while captain Rebecca Mbutawo continues to lead with composure. Winger Hildah Kangwa has been a constant threat, and Kaluba Phiri earned Player of the Match honours against Zimbabwe.
Boys Exit After Mixed Campaign
The Zambia U-15 boys’ campaign ended with a 1-1 draw against Senegal at Gateway High School. Senegal took the lead through Aliou Fall, but Charles Sitali equalised for Zambia.
Earlier, the boys had lost 2-0 to Benin. Despite creating several chances against Senegal, they failed to convert them, ultimately exiting the tournament.
Head coach Evaristo Mkandawire described the tournament as a valuable learning experience:
“It has been a fulfilling outing and good exposure for these young players. They have shown great potential.”
He also called for better alignment between school football and the national technical setup.
Team captain Emmanuel Mpongo remained optimistic:
“All hope is not lost. There is a lot of potential in this team, and we can grow into great players. We should have done better by converting the chances we created.”
Zambian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Brigadier General Wilson Tembo (retired), along with embassy staff and CAF instructor Honour Janza, were present to support the boys in their final group match.
Overall Assessment
While the boys’ exit is disappointing, the girls’ impressive run to the semi-finals brings pride and hope for Zambian school football. Their strong performances highlight the growing depth and talent in Zambia’s female youth football.
Zambia will now focus on the girls’ semi-final campaign, aiming to go all the way and lift the trophy in Harare.
Well done to the Zambia U-15 girls! What are your thoughts on their impressive qualification and the boys’ campaign? Drop your comments below!