Zambia U17 Women storm to dominant 5-0 victory over DR Congo in CAN W-U17 Group Stage

The Zambia U17 Women's national team delivered a statement performance at the CAN W-U17 tournament on 23 May 2026, dismantling DR Congo U17 Women with a resounding 5-0 win. The young Zambian side showcased their attacking firepower and defensive solidity, moving to the top of their group with a comprehensive performance that leaves little doubt about their ambitions in the competition.

Match overview

From the opening whistle, Zambia took control of the midfield and pressed high up the pitch. Their relentless energy and quick transitions proved too much for the Congolese defence, which struggled to contain the pace and movement of the Zambian forwards. The scoreline could have been even wider had it not been for some brave saves from the DR Congo goalkeeper.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Forward Esther Mwila opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box after a clever cutback from the left flank.
• 29th minute: A well-worked corner routine saw defender Grace Banda rise highest to head home the second goal.
• 41st minute: Midfielder Chama Phiri made it 3-0 with a clinical finish after a defence-splitting pass, effectively sealing the match before halftime.
• 58th minute: Substitute Mutale Mwansa added a fourth with a close-range tap-in following a goalmouth scramble.
• 74th minute: Winger Natasha Mwape rounded off the scoring with a curling shot into the top corner, capping a memorable team display.

Tactical story

Zambia lined up in an aggressive 4-3-3 formation, prioritising width and high pressing. They exploited the flanks relentlessly, with full-backs overlapping to create overloads. DR Congo, by contrast, sat deep in a 5-3-2 block, hoping to frustrate Zambia and hit on the counter, but they lacked the composure to retain possession when under pressure. Zambia's midfield trio dominated the second balls, ensuring that DR Congo could never build sustained attacks.

Standout players

• Grace Banda (Zambia): Solid at the back and a constant threat from set pieces. Her headed goal and steady defensive work made her the standout performer.
• Esther Mwila (Zambia): Tormented the DR Congo full-back with her dribbling and scored a brilliant opener.
• DR Congo goalkeeper: Despite the heavy defeat, she made several excellent stops to prevent the score from reaching double figures.

Tournament impact

With this emphatic victory, Zambia U17 Women have sent a clear warning to their rivals. The win puts them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages of the CAN W-U17, a crucial qualification pathway for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. DR Congo will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next group match, as goal difference could become a deciding factor.