T
he Zambia U20 Girls have stepped up preparations for the return leg of the fourth-round qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup against Uganda set for the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday, 14th February, 2026.
The Young Copper Queens have set up base in Ndola after battling to a 1–1 draw against Uganda in the first leg of the fourth-round qualifiers played in East Africa last Saturday.
Head coach Florence Mwila has been leading the squad in training at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
“The advantage is that we have now tested Uganda. We now know how they play. We now know how they approach the game. Yes I talked about the physicality of Uganda before we even left but now we tested it,” Mwila told journalists in Ndola.
Mwila says Zambia is ready to face Uganda’s physical and high-pressing style when the two sides clash on Saturday.
“The girls have already played Uganda and so we know how to overcome that and we need to be wise in how we make decisions playing players that are very aggressive. We also need to be aggressive,” she said.
Mwila added: “When you have an opponent that is fast and strong you don’t keep the ball too long because by the time you are holding it and trying to think of where to take the ball because they are fast and they are strong; by the time you are thinking of where to go they have already taken the ball.”
FAZ President Keith Mweemba has been urging the young Copper Queens to complete the task in the return leg in Ndola after the 1-1 stalemate in Uganda.
“It is not easy to get a result against a fancied side like Uganda. We are glad the girls showed character by coming from a goal down to equalise and settle for a draw,” Mweemba said.
Captain Jessy Zulu, tramp card Mercy Chipasula and Blessing Maluba are some of the star players in the Zambian squad.
Zambia and Uganda are eying a place in the final round of qualification for the Poland 2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
