“We Have to Prepare Adequately” – Banda on Copper Queens’ WAFCON 2026 Challenge

16.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️

Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda says Zambia faces a tough test at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026, but believes the team can meet its objectives with proper and timely preparations.

Speaking to FAZ Media following the WAFCON draw, which placed Zambia in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and neighbours Malawi, the Orlando Pride star stressed that preparation will be key to success.

“I believe when you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Banda said. “Our group is a tough one. Playing against the champions Nigeria — we faced them at the last WAFCON, and this time around we have to do better when we meet again.”

Nigeria eliminated Zambia at the quarterfinal stage of the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco.

Banda also highlighted the quality of the other Group C opponents.

“We must not forget Malawi, our neighbours — a very good team with quality players — and Egypt as well,” she said. “It’s a group of death, but as the Copper Queens, I believe that if we prepare adequately, we can go through to the next round. I have a good feeling about this team.”

The Copper Queens skipper added that her regular communication with head coach Nora Häuptle has been encouraging ahead of the continental assignment.

“Every time I communicate with the coach, we are moving at the same pace,” Banda said. “There is positivity, and even though it’s a tough group, I believe we are heading in the right direction.”

The 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year also revealed that the team is targeting back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, following their historic appearance at the Australia/New Zealand 2023 tournament.

“It is very important for Zambia to qualify for the World Cup again,” Banda said. “Although we qualified for the previous one, we didn’t do our best. These are the games that will help us qualify for the World Cup, so we have to give everything.”

Banda emphasized that preparations must begin immediately if Zambia is to improve on its last WAFCON outing.

“Preparations have to start now because we don’t have time,” she said. “We have been in the off-season, so what will help us is proper preparation — good friendly matches — to enable us to compete strongly against the teams in our group.”

Zambia will open their WAFCON 2026 campaign on March 18 against Egypt, before facing Nigeria three days later. The Copper Queens will conclude their group stage fixtures against Malawi on March 24.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, with the four semifinalists earning qualification for the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.