The Copper Queens are beamed to make […]

The Copper Queens are beamed to make another attempt at winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) next month.

Face to face with Malawi, Egypt, and Nigeria in Group C, the matches will take place between 25th July and 16th August 2026.

According to information obtained by the Zambian Business Times, the Queens are scheduled to play Algeria en route to the tournament in Morocco, and Coach Nora Hauptle has assembled a 28-member local camp; most foreign-based players whose league is on recess have not featured.

Notably, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji are missing but are likely to join the team on course.

A lot is at stake for the Copper Queens; a 2027 World Cup slot is pending, as the best-performing teams—the top four teams—will qualify.

The assemblage is meant to assess the quality of the players, as the group matches against Nigeria, whom the Queens lost to during the previous WAFCON, and Egypt are tipped to be competitive.

Hauptle is yet to cement her aspirations of playing quality football, but preparation is key, whether or not she will succeed—only next month will tell.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls), Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Winfridah Mutale (Elite Ladies), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses),

(DEFENDERS)

Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows); Thelma Chellah (Zanaco Ladies); Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses); Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula, and Memory Nthala (all Green Buffaloes); Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Rangers Queens); Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club-Saudi Arabia); Matildah Mukunda and Saliyah Mwanza (both Elite Ladies); and Lushomo Mweemba and Martha Tembo (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey).

(MIDFIELDERS)

Evarine Katongo (Rana’ana Women FC—Israel), Natasha Nanyangwe (Green Buffaloes), Blessings Zulu (Zanaco Ladies), and Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames—Saudi Arabia)

(STRIKERS)

Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses), Eneless Phiri, Penelope Mulubwa, Mercy Chipasula, and Avell Chitundu (all Zesco Ndola Girls); Ivy Nambeye (Nchanga Rangers Queens); and Theresa Nayame (Kansanshi Queens).

Article by Samuel Mutale