Zambia’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Copper Princesses, suffered a heartbreaking second defeat at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after losing 2-1 to Venezuela on Wednesday night.
Andrea Suarez scored on the last kick of the game to give 10-player Venezuela a dramatic victory in the Group D encounter.
Zambia started strongly with an excellently worked goal, with Taonga Mubanga’s pass finding Grace Phiri who crossed for Precious Mwewa to tap in.
But Venezuela responded with Orliany Duran blocking an attempted clearance and hammering home the equaliser.
There was late drama in stoppage time when Venezuela goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales was sent off, forcing defender Abril Alejo into goal. Suarez then fired home the winner in the dying moments.
Zambia Coach Carol Kanyemba is yet to comment on the defeat.
The loss leaves Zambia bottom of Group D with no points after losing the opening game 5-0 to Japan.
Japan now top the group with six points after beating France 2-0 on Wednesday.
France and Venezuela have three points each.
Zambia’s last Group D match is against France on Saturday, 24 October 2026 in Rabat.
Venezuela Coach Dayana Frias said her team’s courage made the difference.
“I’m just grateful to God. You should never lose faith. The key was courage. We fought until the very end,” Frias said.
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