Copper Queens Ready for WAFCON 2026 Challenge in Morocco

The Zambia Women’s National Football Team, popularly known as the Copper Queens, have arrived in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they will be looking to make another strong impression on the continental stage.

After completing their final preparations in Algeria, the Copper Queens travelled to Morocco and immediately began recovery and training sessions under head coach Nora Häuptle. The team is using the remaining days before kickoff to fine tune tactics and adapt to the tournament conditions.

Zambia has been drawn in Group Calongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and regional neighbours Malawi. The Copper Queens will open their campaign against Egypt on Tuesday, July 28, before facing Nigeria and Malawi in what is expected to be one of the toughest groups in the competition.

The team will once again rely on the experience of captain Barbra Banda and star forward Racheal Kundananji, who are among Africa’s most highly rated footballers. Their leadership and attacking quality will be key as Zambia aims to reach the knockout stages and challenge for the title.

The 2026 WAFCON, hosted by Morocco, runs from July 26 to August 16 and features an expanded field of 16 teams, making it the biggest edition of the tournament in history. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

The Copper Queens have emerged as one of Africa’s strongest women’s teams in recent years, with fans hoping they can build on their recent successes and bring home Zambia’s first WAFCON title. As the countdown to their opening match continues, football supporters across the country will be rallying behind the team in their quest for continental glory.

By Namakau Lishebo