Zambian firepower ready for WAFCON

by Helder Ribiero

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025. 15:00

Zambia is set to unleash an attacking force to be reckoned with at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.

The Copper Queens have been drawn in group A with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco and Senegal, where their metal will be tested. Their squad features stars both young and experienced who could set the tournament alight.

Mercy Chipasula is a rising star that seems set for a long career with the Copper Queens. The 17-year-old burst onto the scene during the 2024 COSAFA U17 Girls Championship where she led her side to the title while picking up the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards. She has also represented Zambia at back-to-back FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments.

As the youngest member of Zambia’s squad, Chipasula will look to apply her attacking intent at WAFCON in Morocco and continue to impress on the big stage.

Barbra Banda is a leader, record breaker, and true icon of African football. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she became the first player in the event’s history to record a hat-trick in back-to-back games.

Currently representing Orlando Pride in the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Banda will draw on her physicality and consistency to captain her side to continental glory.

Racheal Kundananji adds yet another attacking threat to Zambia’s WAFCON squad. Kundananji impressed at Madrid CFF in Spain, scoring 33 goals in 43 games, earning a record breaking move to Bay FC of the NWSL in February 2024 which was the most expensive transfer in the history of women’s football at the time.

Kundananji’s eye for goal and clinical finishing pose a significant threat for Zambia’s opponents at the upcoming WAFCON.