Zambia – WAFCON Team Profile

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Monday Jun 23, 2025. 14:00

Zambia, known as the ‘Copper Queens’, will be participating in their fourth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), having featured in the last two editions in Ghana and Morocco.

The Copper Queens’ best achievement at the WAFCON was finishing in third place in Morocco in the previous edition in 2022, when they defeated Nigeria in the third-place playoff match.

Zambia also appeared at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they secured a win over Costa Rica in what was their maiden appearance in the tournament and they have also participated in the Olympic Games on two occasions (2020 and 2024).

Coached by Swiss tactician Nora Häuptle, who was appointed in January 2025, the Copper Queens have an experienced squad which is a mix of locally-based players and foreign-based stars.

Key performers to watch out for include Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, USA), Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride, USA) and Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC-USA).

Zambia have been drawn in Group A for the WAFCON and will face hosts Morocco in the tournament opener on Saturday, 5 July at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat; Senegal on Wednesday, 9 July at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia; and DR Congo on Saturday, 12 July at the El Bachir Stadium.