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CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024: Zambia Team Profile
Published: Saturday, 21 June 2025 How the team qualified Zambia secured their TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations place by eliminating Angola in the second round of the qualifiers. The Copper Queens recorded a dominant 6–0 away win in Luanda and followed it up with another 6–0 victory at home in Lusaka. This emphatic triumph reflects the continued rise of a young yet experienced squad, which also featured at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history Zambia has emerged as a rising force in recent years. Their best performance to date remains a third-place finish in 2022, earned after defeating Nigeria in the third-place play-off. It marked their first-ever continental medal. The team went on to make history again by qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, where they claimed their first win at the tournament with a 3–1 victory over Costa Rica. Players to watch Barbra Banda: A true icon of Zambian football, the captain is a powerful and determined striker capable of changing a game single-handedly. She made headlines with back-to-back hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics against China and the Netherlands. She repeated the feat at Paris 2024 against Australia. Now playing for Orlando Pride in the NWSL, she continues to impress with her consistency, charisma, and ability to step up in key moments. A natural leader, she embodies the hopes of a nation dreaming of establishing itself among the elite of women's football. Racheal Kundananji: Together with Banda, she forms a formidable attacking duo. Her explosiveness, power, and eye for goal make her one of the most closely watched players on the continent. After a standout spell with Madrid CFF, she made headlines with a record-breaking move to Bay FC, becoming the most expensive African player in history and completing the second-costliest transfer in the history of women's football. At both club and international level, she is known for her composure in front of goal and her rare ability to create space in opposition defences. Head Coach Nora Häuptle was appointed as Zambia's head coach in January 2025, following a successful stint in charge of Ghana. The Swiss tactician and former international is known for her tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and preference for rapid transitional play. Since taking over, she has instilled a new level of discipline within the Copper Queens while building a competitive side around the attacking prowess of Banda and Kundananji to compete at continental and global stages. Ambitions and Group Analysis Under Häuptle's guidance, the Copper Queens aim to reach new heights by cementing their place among Africa's women's football powerhouses. Drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they face a tough challenge. In this tightly contested group, the Copper Queens will look to continue their ascent and prove they can match the continent's strongest teams.
CAF
10-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Nora Häuptle (Zambia): 'There is no elevator to success.'
With a clear and effective method, Nora Häuptle relies on discipline, active listening, and a deep focus on collective values to help her team grow Around stars like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji, Zambia is built on a united, humble squad deeply rooted in its heritage The goal is to win the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 and etch the Copper Queens into the history books of African football She arrived in Lusaka with her whiteboard, her Swiss accent, and above all, her clear ideas. Since January this year, Nora Häuptle has been the new head coach of the Copper Queens. At 41, the former Ghana national team coach has taken the reins with one clear ambition: to transform a talented group into genuine contenders for the continental title. The challenge is massive. Their first test came in February against Malawi (a 2–3 loss), and in April, they made good on promises during a tournament in China. Slowly but surely, a sense of cohesion is building around a united squad and a game identity that's taking shape. 'We're taking it step by step—there's no elevator to success,' says Häuptle, clear-eyed and already fully invested in the Zambian project. In a football-mad country, the Swiss coach quickly found her footing. With leaders like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji - international stars yet deeply rooted in their culture—Häuptle promotes humility and high standards. She listens, consults, decides. And above all, she unites. A few weeks out from the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024, Zambia is clearly stating its ambitions. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal, the team moves forward with one goal in mind: to bring the trophy home. Because here, everyone believes. Nora Häuptle most of all. You took over Zambia in January. How have your first months been at the helm of the Copper Queens? Nora Häuptle: Thank you. I started on January 1st. In February, we played two matches against Malawi, and in April, we took part in an international tournament in China. So far, the journey has been good. We've mainly focused on our playing principles and a slightly refined style. The players are very open-minded. What surprised you most about Zambian football and your players? What struck me the most is the incredible passion. People in Zambia are crazy about football. Wherever I go, even outside of a professional setting, people approach me and share their love for the game. There's a deep connection to football and a shared vision: to bring a trophy home with the women's team, just as the men's team did in 2012. In fact, I sense even more excitement around the women's national team than the men's. These emotions and this passion drive me deeply. How have you built your relationship with this squad, especially key players like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji? It's an honour for me to work with such exceptional players. We have incredible talent on this team, but what impresses me most is their humility. On a human level, they're very grounded, deeply connected to their roots—even though they're superstars. That comes through in small gestures. For example, in February, the training fields were in poor condition. I expected them to complain, but they didn't say a word. They trained with full commitment. I appreciate that they never forget where they come from, that they support their communities, and that they are role models. For my part, I try to engage with them as equals—collaboratively, always open to their input. Of course, I have to make the final call, but for now, I feel a very strong bond and deep commitment within this group. You coached Ghana before Zambia. You clearly have a deep investment in African football. What makes it so special to you? For me, it's a privilege to work in Africa. There's a vast reservoir of talent—not just in the players, but in the potential for overall development. With Zambia right now, I genuinely feel there's a chance to raise the level of the game. I enjoy playing the role of 'developer'—taking teams to the next level. And then there's the incredible passion for football. I've also learned so much culturally. I strive to stay open-minded, because it's a true exchange: I give, but I also receive so much. I'm deeply inspired by the continent's history and its people. I really want to continue this journey here. This upcoming TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024 will be your first. What does it mean to you professionally and personally? Yes, it'll be my very first WAFCON, my first major tournament on the continent. With Ghana, I had qualified the team after three years of work. That was a great journey. Now I have the pleasure of participating with Zambia. For me, it's a kind of fulfilment. It's also a chance to prove our worth at the highest level. We've invested so much into this team, with so much passion. And in Zambia, we all share one vision: to bring a trophy home. That's a huge motivation for me. I just want to make sure we move forward step by step, with curiosity and enthusiasm. I can't wait for the tournament to begin. Zambia will be in Group A with Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal. What's your analysis of the group? It's a fairly diverse group in terms of playing styles. I know Senegal a bit from my time with Ghana. They're a very physical team, with technically skilled players. Many of them play in France, a physically demanding league. DR Congo is home to the current CAF Women's Champions League winners (Editor's note: TP Mazembe), which means a strong club foundation. Often, these clubs form the backbone of the national team. So we're expecting a tough, combative match there. As for Morocco—you can clearly see the results of their federation's investment, for both men and women. Their game is more possession-based. Zambia recently played them in Olympic qualifiers, so we're familiar with their approach. How do you manage the collective pressure? Yes, expectations are high. But personally, I don't read much of what's said around us—I try not to let outside pressure into my mind. I always come back to the small daily steps of our work. I know there's no elevator to success, only stairs. I prefer to focus on our performance. I always say: if we work hard on our performance, results will follow. So I stay focused on that. How do you build unity in a team that's increasingly under media scrutiny? I think we've built an inner life unique to our group, and that's our focus. For me, team stability is rooted in its values. We're still in that process—defining our values together, understanding what they mean concretely, and then living them daily. I believe that when that foundation is strong, even if there are ups and downs in performance, we never lose what matters most. We can lose a game, yes—but we must never lose our values. Coming back to that base helps us face pressure with greater composure. How do you balance the experienced internationals with the young talents from the local league? Recently, our U17 team qualified for the World Cup, which proves the depth of talent we have here. We do have some very gifted young players, and I'm gradually bringing them into the senior setup. For me, it's the squad as a whole that matters. We need to build a system around our key players. We have some outstanding individuals, so the challenge is finding a way to make them work together effectively on the pitch while maintaining team cohesion. For example, during the tournament in China in April, some of our key players couldn't travel. It was an opportunity to give game time to younger players—and I believe in them. They stepped up. For me, it's all about finding the right balance. Coach, you're still young, but let's talk legacy. What do you hope to leave behind in Zambian football? I only started at the beginning of the year, so I'm not thinking much about legacy yet. But the vision of the country—and the players—really inspires me: to win a trophy. That's a clear goal. Beyond that, I'd also like to be remembered as a good person, someone who stayed true to her values. Someone who shared her passion for football, but also someone who inspired others, both in sport and beyond—here in Zambia.
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Banyana Banyana gear up for Tri-Nations Series match against Zambia
JOHANNESBURG – Banyana Banyana to face Zambia on Tuesday for their final Tri-Nations Series, following a 3-2 win against Botswana. Kick-off for the match is set for 15:00 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. The Tri-Nations Series is in preparation for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Banyana Banyana getting off to a good start less than two months before the tournament scheduled for July 5-26. Desiree Ellis' team played to a five-goal thriller against Botswana, winning 3-2 last Wednesday, 28 May, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. 'The Zambian team brings something different (compared to Botswana), their front three are really quick. Our defensive organisation has to be really good, and when we win the ball, we have to make sure that we hurt them. That's going to be really important,' said Ellis. The Copper Queens were held to a 1-1 draw by Botswana on Saturday and are looking to sharpen their tactical edge ahead of WAFCON. The tournament in Morocco was supposed to have been played last year, but was postponed to this year as it was clashing with the Olympic Games in Paris. Banyana have been fixtured in Group C against Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.
The Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Ellis expects tougher test from Zambia in Banyana's second Wafcon warm-up
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is expecting Zambia to provide a tougher test for them when they meet in the final match of the Three Nations Series at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday. Banyana started the series with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Botswana in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on Wednesday afternoon and Ellis said her team will likely to have to improve to beat the Copper Queens. 'No disrespect to Botswana but Zambia have a lot more quality and they bring different types of dynamics to us,' she said. 'Defensively we have to be better because their front line is good and if you make mistakes at the back, they are going to punish you. From our side, when we get opportunities, we have to put them away.
CAF
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Barbra Banda (Zambia): "Africa is my foundation"
● The first player to score two consecutive hat-tricks at the Olympic Games, Barbra Banda continues to push the limits. ● Just weeks away from the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024, the Zambian captain reflects on her deep connection with Africa. ● In this exclusive interview with the 2024 African Women's Player of the Year shares her trophy dreams and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. She's etched her name into the history books with hat-tricks. From Tokyo to Paris, through the World Cup and American pitches, Barbra Banda racks up records with effortless grace. On the field, she doesn't just score goals: she challenges expectations, overturns hierarchies, and redefines the standards. Powerful, determined, instinctive—the captain of the Copper Queens embodies a new era of African women's football: bold, unrestrained, and driven by limitless ambition. At just 25, she's already Zambia's all-time top scorer. She's scored at the World Cup, netted the tournament's 1000th goal against Costa Rica, and made a stunning entrance into the American league. But for the reigning CAF African Women's Player of the Year's ultimate success isn't found in global spotlights. It lies in her roots. 'I am African. This continent is my foundation,' she says without hesitation. Before stepping into the arena, the number 11 spoke to with the honesty and clarity she's known for. In Tokyo, at the Olympics, you became the first player in history to score two consecutive hat-tricks. And you did it again against Australia in Paris. Do you really realize what you accomplished on those days? Barbra Banda : Honestly, it all comes down to hard work. When I think back to Tokyo 2021, those two back-to-back hat-tricks were the result of immense effort, team support, the staff, and the Zambian Federation. It wasn't easy. We came into that tournament without much status—it was our first appearance. We didn't get past the group stage, but we showed resilience as a team. And yes, scoring two hat-tricks in a row was powerful. Even in Paris, against Australia, I found the net again. We're progressing. Zambia today is not the same team as before. We've now qualified for several major tournaments, and that shows we're building something solid. Despite all of that, despite the records, do you still play with the same sense of determination and freedom? Of course. That's how I play. I feel free on the pitch because I love what I do. And I keep working to get better. My goal is always to give more, to keep improving. I stay focused on my game. You've built a reputation that goes far beyond the continent. Your feats at the Olympics, the 1000th World Cup goal against Costa Rica and a spectacular debut in the American league. But it's on African soil, at the upcoming WAFCON in Morocco, that you'll need to uphold your status as queen of the continent. Do you feel particular pressure when playing in Africa? Not at all. I'm African. I come from this continent, and I love it deeply. I grew up here, I played here. And if I'm where I am today, it's thanks to Africa. This continent is my foundation. So I don't feel any particular pressure. Playing here is natural. It's home. You became Zambia's all-time top scorer at just 25. What drives you to keep pushing? When I look at where I came from, I know I still have so much to give. Women's football in Zambia has evolved so much. And if I'm scoring so many goals, it's not just me—it's the whole team. We depend on each other. To score, a teammate has to make that pass. So I tip my hat to all the girls, the staff, the coaches. Their advice is key to playing well, to making the right decisions in front of goal. It's a collective effort. And even though I've already done a lot at 25, I know I can reach even more. If you had to pick just one goal, one you'll never forget? I've scored quite a few (laughs), but the one against Germany and the one against Australia. Two strikes I keep in a very special corner of my memory. Let's talk about the Women's AFCON. Zambia is in Group B with Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal. What are your thoughts? It's a strong group, with many challenges. But that's what we want—challenges. We don't underestimate anyone. African women's football has come a long way. We're focusing on ourselves, on our game. We're aiming for the title. Last time, we finished third. This time, we want to go all the way. We want to make history. And in that group is Morocco—a team you know well. A rivalry seems to be developing between your two nations. Will that match have a special flavour? It's true we've faced Morocco several times. But we're not relying on the past. Morocco is improving quickly. This will be a completely different match. It's on their home ground, which will make it even harder. We're preparing for a whole new challenge. And we're ready. The biggest adjustment for your team is the arrival of a new head coach: Nora Häuptle. How is the collaboration going? We have great respect for our former coach, Bruce Mwape. He took us far, into many major tournaments. He's part of our history. Coach Nora is settling in very well—she's adapting to our culture. We've already played two friendly matches, including one against Malawi. We're building a strong team. She shares our passion for the country. She's doing a great job, and we're responding well to her expectations. There's good chemistry. And if you were to lift this TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON trophy—what would that continental title mean to you? It would be indescribable. Every country dreams of winning this Cup. It's the biggest in Africa. It would mean everything for us, for our motherland, Zambia. We want to do it for our flag, for our people, our supporters, for all those who believe in us. It would be a massive moment. What would you say today to the little Barbra Banda who used to play in the streets of her neighbourhood? I'd tell her: believe in yourself. Don't give up. There will always be critics, but what matters is focus and determination. Hard work pays off. Don't dwell on what people say online or anywhere else. Believe in your talent, and you'll see how far it can take you.
