The Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team has stepped up preparations in Casablanca as the Copper Princesses continue their build-up to the Morocco FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Head coach Carol Kanyemba and her technical staff have taken the young players through intensive training sessions at the Academie Des Electriciens De Football. The team is using its time in Morocco to sharpen its fitness, tactical organisation and overall readiness ahead of the global tournament. Zambia will also use an international friendly against China to assess the squad before the competitive action begins. The preparations mark an important stage for the Copper Princesses as they get ready to face some of the strongest youth teams in women’s football.
The Copper Princesses are currently based in Casablanca as they prepare for the tournament, which kicks off on 7 October in Rabat. The training camp gives the coaching staff an opportunity to work closely with the players in a focused environment before the World Cup matches begin. Training at the Academie Des Electriciens De Football allows the team to continue its preparations while adapting to conditions in Morocco. The sessions are expected to help the players improve their understanding of the technical and tactical demands of international football. For a young squad competing at a major FIFA tournament, effective preparation can provide an important foundation for performing with confidence.
Coach Carol Kanyemba and her technical team have been putting the players through their paces as they work to build a competitive side. Training at this stage of the preparation is important because it allows the coaching staff to fine-tune different aspects of the team before the opening match. The players must also develop strong communication and coordination, particularly because international tournaments can place young footballers under considerable pressure. Regular training sessions can help the squad become more familiar with the team’s tactical approach and the responsibilities of individual players. The focus in Casablanca is therefore not only on physical preparation but also on creating a disciplined and organised team.
One of the key components of Zambia’s preparations will be the international friendly against China. The Copper Princesses are scheduled to face China on Friday in their first international friendly match as part of their preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. A match against another international side provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to evaluate the team in a competitive setting. It can also help players experience match conditions before they face their World Cup opponents. The friendly should give the technical team useful insight into areas that may require further work before Zambia begins its tournament campaign.
The match against China also gives the players an opportunity to translate their training work into an actual game environment. Training sessions can help develop tactical patterns and individual skills, but competitive matches provide a different level of intensity and decision-making. The young players will need to manage possession, respond to pressure and maintain their shape throughout the match. The coaching staff can use the friendly to assess how effectively the squad applies instructions under match conditions. It can also help the players gain confidence as they prepare for the demanding group stage ahead.
Zambia has been drawn into Group D at the tournament alongside Japan, France and Venezuela. The group presents a challenging test for the Copper Princesses because each opponent brings its own style, strengths and international experience. Japan has a strong reputation for technical football and player development, while France has consistently invested in women’s football at youth and senior levels. Venezuela also represents a competitive South American opponent with its own qualities and approach to the game. Zambia will therefore need to combine technical ability, tactical discipline and mental strength as it seeks to progress from the group.
The tournament format makes every group-stage match important because the top two teams in each group will qualify for the round of 16. Zambia will need to collect enough points from its group matches to secure one of those places. The players will also have to remain focused throughout the group stage because results can have a direct impact on qualification. Strong performances against Japan, France and Venezuela will require the Copper Princesses to maintain their organisation and take their opportunities when they arise. The coaching staff will be expected to prepare the squad carefully for the different challenges presented by each opponent.
The presence of Zambia at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup represents an important opportunity for the young players to gain experience on an international stage. Youth tournaments expose players to different football cultures and playing styles while giving them the chance to test themselves against opponents from around the world. For the Copper Princesses, the tournament can also provide valuable experience that can contribute to their future development. Competing against teams such as Japan and France will demand concentration and adaptability from the players. The experience gained in Morocco could become an important part of their football development as they progress through their careers.
The Casablanca training camp is also significant because preparation for a major tournament involves more than simply playing matches. Players must maintain their fitness, understand tactical instructions and establish strong working relationships with their teammates. The coaching staff must also manage the squad carefully as the tournament approaches. Every training session provides an opportunity to address weaknesses and strengthen areas that are already working well. The camp therefore gives Zambia valuable time to prepare as a team before the pressure of World Cup competition begins.
The FAZ Media Team has shared selected images from the team’s training camp in Casablanca, giving supporters a glimpse of the Copper Princesses as they prepare for the tournament. The images capture the players and technical staff at work as Zambia continues its preparations in Morocco. Such moments also allow supporters at home to follow the team’s journey ahead of the World Cup. The players will carry the expectations of Zambian football into a tournament featuring some of the world’s leading youth teams. Their preparations in Casablanca are an important part of getting ready for that challenge.
As the opening of the Morocco FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup approaches, attention will increasingly turn to Zambia’s final preparations and its opening fixtures. The friendly against China will provide an early opportunity to assess the team’s readiness before the competitive matches begin. Zambia will then face a demanding Group D campaign against Japan, France and Venezuela, with qualification for the round of 16 at stake. Coach Carol Kanyemba and her technical staff will continue working with the players to ensure they enter the tournament prepared, organised and confident. The Copper Princesses now have an important period ahead as they seek to make their mark on the international stage.