Zambia achieved a first in women’s football with qualification for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
The Shepolopolo joins Ghana and Nigeria as Africa’s representatives for next year’s global cadet women’s championship.
It is the first time a Zambian women’s team has reached the finals of a major championship, booking their place at the expense regional rivals, South Africa, thanks to a 3-1 victory in the second leg of the final round at the weekend in Johannesburg.
Grace Chanda scored a brace and the other by Irene Lungu from the spot ensured the Zambians went through 6-4 on aggregate following a 3-3 draw in the previous fixture in Lusaka.
Coach Albert Kachinga’s side have been growing in stature since toppling Zimbabwe in the final of the COSAFA U-17 tournament on homesoil last year. And they confirmed their coming of age with the ticket for next year’s tournament.
Ghana’s Black Maidens maintained their impressive record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2008, after beating Equatorial Guinea 3-2 in Malabo and advance 5-2 on aggregate.
The Maidens boast of Africa’s best outing at the biennial tournament after picking bronze at the last edition in Azerbaijan in 2012.
On the otherhand, the Flamingoes of Nigeria booked their place after opponents South Sudan withdrew from the qualifiers. Nigeria was also present in 2008 (New Zealand), 2010 (Trinidad and Tobago) and 2012 (Azerbaijan).
The final tournament will be held from 15 March – 5 April next year in Costa Rica.