TotalEnergies CAF Women's Afcon 2026 - Zambia Ready to Challenge for a First Continental Title

The Zambian Women's National Football Team, affectionately known as the Copper Queens, is gearing up for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 with an unwavering resolve to secure their maiden continental championship. After a commendable third-place finish in 2022, marking their best performance to date, and a subsequent quarter-final exit in the 2024 edition, the Copper Queens are determined to elevate their status among Africa's football powerhouses. The team's journey to Morocco is underpinned by a blend of tactical evolution under new Head Coach Nora Häuptle and the potent attacking prowess of stars like Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, signaling a formidable challenge to any opponent. The appointment of Swiss tactician Nora Häuptle in early 2025 has ushered in a new era for the Copper Queens. Häuptle, a UEFA Pro Licence holder with a Master's degree in Sports Science, brings extensive coaching experience from Switzerland and Germany, including a previous stint with Ghana's national team. Her strategic vision is expected to add further tactical discipline to a squad already rich in attacking quality and international exposure. This coaching change followed the departure of Bruce Mwape, under whom the team achieved significant milestones, including the 2022 WAFCON bronze and qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and two Olympic Games. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the Zambian government have demonstrated increased commitment to women's football, with substantial investments aimed at fostering talent and providing adequate resources for national teams. Key to Zambia's aspirations are its star forwards, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Banda, the captain, is renowned for her powerful, direct, and clinical finishing, having made headlines with back-to-back hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a historic goal at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Kundananji, with her explosiveness and keen e