By Bola Yapa Zed | November 12, 2025
The Zambia Women’s National Team (Copper Queens) are set to feature in a Four Nations Tournament later this month in Lilongwe, Malawi, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
According to information obtained by the Bola Yapa Zed, the invitational competition will run from November 29th to December 2nd, featuring Zambia, hosts Malawi, reigning WAFCON champions South Africa, and Zimbabwe. All matches will be played at the Bingu National Stadium.
The tournament promises to be an exciting Southern African contest, with four of the region’s strongest women’s national teams set to battle it out.
For Zambia, the games will serve as an early test of their readiness for next year’s WAFCON in Morocco. Coach Nora Elizabeth Häuptle is expected to name a strong squad in the coming days, blending both international stars and standout performers from the ZPL Women’s Super League.
Among those tipped to make the list are Evarine Susan Katongo, Eneless Phiri, Natasha “Little Tasha” Nanyangwe, Memory Nthala, and Avell Chitundu — all of whom have impressed with consistent performances on the domestic front.
One major concern remains the fitness of Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda, who has been nursing a hip injury. While Banda’s recovery progress is positive, it’s not yet clear whether she will be fit in time for the Lilongwe competition.
Her potential absence would be a big blow for Zambia, but it also provides an opportunity for emerging players to step up and stake their claim ahead of the WAFCON finals.
The Four Nations Tournament marks the beginning of Zambia’s roadmap to the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026, which runs from March 17th to April 3rd, 2026. The Copper Queens booked their ticket to Morocco in style, thrashing Namibia 7-2 on aggregate during the final qualification round.
Zambia will be making their fifth appearance at the continental showpiece and will be among the Southern African sides aiming to go deep into the tournament. The top four semifinalists at WAFCON 2026 will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, raising the stakes for every participating nation.
The Four Nations Tournament in Lilongwe presents the Copper Queens with the perfect platform to sharpen their tactics, test new combinations, and assess their squad depth ahead of WAFCON 2026. As the region’s top teams lock horns, Zambian fans will be eager to see how Coach Häuptle’s side shapes up in their quest for continental glory.
