New Zealand have made an early exit at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™, following a 0-4 defeat to Zambia in their final group stage match.
Requiring a win to keep their tournament hopes alive, the Young Ferns failed to fire in Rabat, and were sunk by a quartet of Zambian goals.
The OFC Champions depart with three defeats from three games, and remain without a win at the competition since their famous third-place finish in 2018.
New Zealand held out through the opening half hour in a tense start to the contest. As the game progressed, they struggled to stem Zambia’s growing ascendancy though.
The African representatives took the lead in the 33rd minute, Victoria Mbali pouncing on the ball inside the box and picking out the bottom-right corner.
The second goal came soon after in the 44th minute, Mercy Chipasula turning and scoring with a shot that deflected in off the underside of the crossbar.
The Young Ferns continued to struggle in the second half, and managed just two shots across the entirety of the 90 minutes.
Mbali hit the top of crossbar, moments before Masela Sekeseke added Zambia’s third goal in the 68th minute after racing in-behind the New Zealand defence.
The fourth was a right-footed rocket from Grace Phiri from outside the box, sealing Zambia’s progression to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.
Whilst it wasn’t the campaign the Young Ferns would have hoped for, they will hope to make amends when they return to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ next year, having won the 2025 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
New Zealand: 0
Zambia: 4 (Victoria MBALI 33’, Mercy CHIPASULA 44’, Masela SEKESEKE 68’, Grace PHIRI 80’)
HT: 0-2