COPPER Queens captain Barbra Banda says Zambia must raise its level if it hopes to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next week. Zambia is scheduled to play Algeria in its final preparatory match before the tournament. The teams drew 1-1 last week. Banda, who recently joined camp from her club

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COPPER Queens captain Barbra Banda says Zambia must raise its level if it hopes to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next week.

Zambia is scheduled to play Algeria in its final preparatory match before the tournament. The teams drew 1-1 last week. Banda, who recently joined camp from her club in the United States, told FAZ media that the team is focused on winning the title. Zambia has never won the WAFCON. Its best finish came in 2022 when it placed third. Banda said the team has added motivation to honor former Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape, who died earlier this month. “I feel like, as a team, we just need to pull up our socks and maybe probably win this WAFCON for everyone,” Banda said. “Looking at the loss that we have for coach Bruce, we are trying by all means to do something great for him so that where he is, he may be happy for us.” At the WAFCON, Zambia is in Group C with Egypt, Nigeria and neighboring Malawi. Banda said Zambia wants to improve on its last tournament, when it was eliminated in the quarterfinals following a 5-0 loss to Nigeria. “Honestly, the way it ended last time, we were not happy, but this time around we want to do more and qualify to the World Cup and win the WAFCON itself,” Banda said. Advertisement Advertise here Reach readers inside premium article pages.

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