Zambia U17 Women 2-1 Ethiopia U17 Women: Hosts edge opening match in CAN W-U17 qualifiers

Zambia U17 Women kicked off their campaign in the COSAFA qualifiers for the CAN W-U17 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ethiopia U17 Women on 4 July 2026. The match, played on Zambian soil, saw the hosts show resilience after falling behind early.

Match overview

Both teams fielded talented young squads in this crucial tournament opener. Ethiopia started brightly and took a deserved lead, but Zambia responded with character, equalising before half-time and then completing the turnaround in the second period.

Key moments

• Ethiopia stun the hosts: The visitors scored first in the 12th minute, a neat finish after a swift counter-attack that caught the Zambian defence off guard.
• Zambia fights back: The home side equalised just before the half-hour mark with a well-worked move finished by the striker.
• Second-half winner: Zambia took the lead in the 60th minute when a deflected free-kick found its way into the net, sparking celebrations.
• Ethiopia push for equaliser: The visitors pressed hard in the final 20 minutes but were denied by solid goalkeeping and last-ditch defending.

Tactical story

Zambia U17 Women initially struggled to cope with Ethiopia's pace on the break. After conceding, they adjusted by dropping deeper and using long balls to bypass the midfield. Ethiopia maintained possession but lacked cutting edge in the final third.

Standout players

Zambia’s goalkeeper made several crucial saves, particularly in the second half, to preserve the lead. The captain marshalled the defence and scored the winning goal. For Ethiopia, the winger who opened the scoring was a constant threat and deserved more support.

Tournament context

This victory gives Zambia an early advantage in their group, boosting hopes of progressing to the CAN W-U17 finals. Ethiopia will need to bounce back quickly, but they showed enough quality to suggest they can still compete for a qualification spot.