Zambia U17 women’s coach honoured to be a history maker

Before her, all the coaches that took the various Zambian national teams to World Cup tournaments were male - Patrick Phiri, George Lwandamina, Beston Chambeshi (all U20-Men), Albert Kachinga (U17–Women), and Bruce Mwape (Senior Women).

Speaking from Zambia exclusively to SABC Sport, the Copper Princesses mentor says the players wanted it more.

"As a lady coach this qualification is really important and knowing that it's the first time that a woman has ever qualified a team in my country, it's a plus. Being part of the record breakers in the country is not an easy honour, I give all glory to God because he enabled us to reach this far. He enabled me to reach this far,” Kanyemba said.

“I also want to appreciate the technical bench that I work with because they really support me, the association for the support that they gave me and also for the players. They had the best attitude, they wanted it the most and I think that played a major role in us qualifying because if the players know what's at stake I think the work becomes easier for us.

“So, they did it and they wanted it and they helped me make history and they made history themselves as well."

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Kanyemba, who is also the Green Buffaloes Women's team First Assistant Coach in the Zambian Super League (top flight of Zambian Women’s Football), says it is only sinking in now that they have qualified for the World Cup with the U17 squad.

"I'm now assimilating, it wasn't really in my mind and in my head. When I wake up, I keep thinking if it's true that it really happened but now that the draws are out, it has sunk in my head that we have qualified for the World Cup for the second time as Zambia and representing the Southern region of Africa."