Coach Osward Mutapa says Power Dynamos’ focus will now be to complete the job in Abidjan, following today’s 1 – 0 win over Asec Mimosas at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola Innocent Kashita’s lone goal was enough to hand the Zambian champions an advantage heading into next week’s second leg at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan. “We are going into that second half, not under pressure. They will be the ones under pressure since we have won. We have to go there and get a good result that will make us qualify to the second round,” Mutapa said. Asec showed some intent in the opening exchanges, but it was Power who took the initiative, grabbing an early lead via a goal that epitomised teamwork. In the build-up to the goal, Defender, Kondwani Chiboni, laid the ball to Midfielder, Prince Mumba, who whipped in a pinpoint cross that found an alert Kashita, who calmly slotted home. Asec coach Julien Chevalier said, conceding an early goal disturbed his team. “The game plan was to be organised to use the opening minutes to see the intensity of the opponent. It is difficult to let yourselves concede with the first chance of the goal of the opponent,” Chevalier said.
Power Dynamos are set to leave for Ivory Coast on Tuesday afternoon. The Zambian Champions will face Asec Mimosas on Saturday in the second leg of the preliminary round of CAF Champions League. Osward Mutapa’s men had their final training session in Lusaka on Edwin Imboela Stadium on Tuesday morning. Power beat Asec Mimosas 1-0 in the first leg. The winner over two legs will meet either African Stars of Namibia or Vipers SC of Uganda in the second preliminary round. The Kitwe giants last participated in the CAF Champions League in the 2023/2024 season and were only eliminated on away goals rule after a 3-3 draw against Simba in the second round. Prior to that it was 2012 where they were eliminated in the second round after a 7-1 aggregate bashing by TP Mazembe. Meanwhile Asec Mimosas won the Competition in 1998 and have participated in about 15 editions. Abayellow will look to go further this year with the lucrative group stage being the target. Two clubs have received byes to the second round – Al Ahly of Egypt and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Teams that exit in the first two rounds will this season receive USD 100,000 to cover their logistical costs as CAF seeks to encourage more clubs to take part. COMPETITION TIMELINE Preliminary Round: First Leg – 19–21 September 2025; Second Leg – 26–28 September 2025 Second Preliminary Round: First Leg – 17–19 October 2025; Second Leg – 24–26 October 2025 Group Stage: Begins 21 November 2025 Knockout Phase: Starts 13 March 2026
The Zambia Under-20 Women’s National Football Team has stated it will not underestimate Burundi in the return leg of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier. Speaking to ZNBC News, Assistant Coach Wisdom Kaira described Burundi as a strong side and emphasized that the team is determined to finish the job on home soil. Kaira noted that carrying a 2–1 advantage into the return leg is a positive position, but stressed that the team remains focused on securing qualification to the next round at all costs. He also called on football fans to show up in large numbers for the crucial match. Meanwhile, defender Kampamba Mulenga, who earned her first call-up to the squad, expressed joy at contributing to the team’s away victory. Mulenga said that playing for the national team is a dream come true. The return leg will take place on Saturday, September 27, at 15:00 hours at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Chansa Kunda, ZNBC
2022 WAFCON heroine Hazel Natasha Nali has returned to the Copper Queens set after a 3 year absence . Nali is among the 42 local players summoned for assessment ahead of next month’s 2026 TotalEnergies Morocco 2026 CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia. Nali suffered laxity in the Medial Collateral Ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) prior to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Zambian international then underwent Surgery in Christchurch, New Zealand on August 16th, 2023 after which she embarked on a phase of post-surgery rehabilitation and physiotherapy. She was part of the ZESCO Ndola Girls squad at the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League| COSAFA Qualifiers and seems to have taken over the number one spot at Zegalicious. Häuptle has also handed call ups to Nchanga Rangers goalkeeper Agness Fabiola Banda, U20 duo of goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte and Defender Margaret Gondwe. Others are Ms Hat-trick, Maylan Mulenga, Maweta Chilenga, Natasha Witika of Konkola Blades Queens, Green Eagles’ goal getter Rachel Moono and Ngosa Chabwe of Indeni Roses. Rachael Nachula is part of the local squad as she is currently in the country and playing for Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club. Foreign based players will join camp in the final stages of the preparations when the FIFA window opens on October 20. The October 22 away match to Namibia will be played at Dobsonville Stadium in South Africa, as Namibia currently has no FIFA approved stadium. Zambia will host Namibia four days later in the final leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The winner over two legs will qualify to the Morocco 2026 CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations which takes place in March and will be a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women World Cup. FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD (GOALKEEPERS) Agness Banda (Nchanga Queens), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Ng’ambo Musole, Mufunte Chishala (both Green Buffaloes), Hazel Nali, Annie Namoonje (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses) (DEFENDERS) Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Josephine Lubinda (Choma Warriors), Blessings Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Esther Muchinga, Judith Soko (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Matildah Mukunda (Elite Ladies), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Rachael Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Esther Siamfuko, Memory Nthala, Margaret Gondwe (all Green Buffaloes), Justina Zulu, Pauline Zulu (both Zanaco Ladies), (MIDFIELDERS) Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo, Hellen Chanda, Maweta Chilenga, Natasha Nanyangwe (all Green Buffaloes), Mary Mambwe, Mary Wilombe (both Red Arrows), Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades Queens), (ATTACKERS) Chabwe Ngosa (Indeni Roses), Mercy Chipasula, Mwangala Namakau (both Kamfinsa Police), Penelope Mulubwa, Fridah Kabwe, Mary Mbewe (all Zesco Ndola Girls), Medrine Lukhelo (Trident Queens), Eneles Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Rachael Moono (Green Eagles), Maylan Mulenga, Agness Phiri (both Green Buffaloes), Ruth Ngoma (Zanaco Ladies),