The Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team delivered a commanding performance with a 5-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo Under-17 Women’s National Team in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Zambia Under-17 Women’s National Team controlled the match from start to finish with high intensity pressing and sharp attacking movement. The result gives Zambia a strong advantage heading into the second leg and puts them in a confident position in the qualification race. The team showed discipline in both defence and attack, limiting chances for their opponents throughout the match. The performance also highlighted the growing strength of Zambia’s youth women’s football development structure.
Zambia opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Grace Phiri after sustained pressure in the final third. The goal came after patient build up play that stretched the defence and created space in the box. Zambia continued to dominate possession and dictated the tempo of the game with quick passing and aggressive forward runs. The Democratic Republic of Congo Under-17 Women’s National Team struggled to contain the attacking waves and spent most of the first half under pressure. DR Congo Under-17 Women’s National Team went into halftime trailing 2-0 after Natasha Kasema doubled the lead just before the break, giving Zambia a strong cushion.
The second half saw Zambia increase their attacking intensity and control even more of the match. Natasha Kasema delivered a standout performance by completing a hat trick as Zambia extended their lead to 4-0. Her movement inside the box and ability to finish under pressure made a clear difference in breaking down the opposition defence. Zambia maintained high energy levels and continued to push forward without easing off. The team’s attacking coordination created repeated scoring opportunities and kept the opposition pinned deep in their own half.
Deep into stoppage time, Blessings Mutale added a fifth goal from the penalty spot to seal a comprehensive 5-0 win for the Copper Princesses. The penalty reflected Zambia’s continued pressure and ability to force errors from the opposition defence. The final scoreline highlighted a dominant all round performance across all departments of the team. Zambia’s defence remained solid throughout, ensuring a clean sheet while the attack delivered consistent goals. The result gives Zambia a significant advantage heading into the return leg and strengthens their momentum in the qualification campaign.