HUNGRY AND UNITED: COPPER QUEENS READY TO HUNT IN WAFCON OPENER

04.07.2025 I Football DNA ⚽️

The Copper Queens are set for their biggest test yet as they kick off their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 campaign against hosts Morocco on Saturday, with head coach Nora Häuptle and captain Barbra Banda both expressing confidence in the team’s unity, experience, and hunger ahead of the tournament opener.

Speaking during Friday’s official pre-match press conference at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Häuptle underscored how well-prepared the team is after a focused 10-day international camp in Casablanca.

“We arrived very early in Morocco, 10 days ago, in Casablanca, where our pre-camp was situated. We had very good training sessions, and the international players arrived early ahead of the competition,” Häuptle said.

“We also had a very closed friendly game that went well, and enjoyed a bit of Moroccan culture. So far, all good.”

The Swiss tactician, who is leading Zambia into their third consecutive WAFCON, was quick to note that while Zambia holds good memories of past victories over Morocco — including the Olympic qualifiers last year — those results will not influence Saturday’s clash.

“There is competition between Zambia and Morocco. We’ve had four games over the last two years, and Zambia won the Olympic qualifiers, which makes good memories. But for tomorrow’s game, we start at 0–0,” she said.

“For me, it’s always a pleasure to start the opening game. I hope for a packed stadium and that vibrant atmosphere. As head coach, we love it and like to go all out.”

Häuptle also reaffirmed her deep commitment to the Copper Queens project.

“I worked three years with Ghana, but I am here now, present — my team is Zambia. I know where I belong. I am very excited to lead Zambia in this tournament,” she said.

“We want to come here to hunt. I think we are all very hungry, the players and I, to hunt for a title. Let’s see tomorrow how our starting performance is. It’s always very important that we live our values.”

On the players’ side, captain Barbra Banda believes the team’s longstanding bonds and collective mindset will be key in navigating the tournament.

“The team has been together for a long time, and that experience is showing. I bring what I learn from my club (Orlando Pride) and we work together as a team,” Banda said.

“Honestly, being the African Player of the Year, I am not carrying any pressure. It actually encourages me to work harder. Many of us have been together since the U17 World Cup in Costa Rica, so we have that connection and we know each other better now.”

With Zambia boasting standout talents like Banda herself and record African transfer Racheal Kundananji, expectations are high — but Banda insists it’s all about teamwork.

“It’s so encouraging to have the highest African transfer player in our team, but that doesn’t make us comfortable. It’s about the team — we are all united. We work as a team in whatever we do.”

Looking ahead to the Morocco showdown, Banda echoed her coach’s message on not relying on history.

“Like the coach said, this is a different game. We have come up with something new and we’re not relying on the past. We are starting tomorrow at 0–0. We know Morocco is a very good team, but we are sticking to our principles.”

The Copper Queens will open their Group A fixtures against Morocco on Saturday, 5 July at 22h00 CAT, before facing Senegal on 9 July and DR Congo on 12 July. With unity, experience and a burning hunger to succeed, Zambia is ready to hunt for continental glory.