By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 16th January 2026
Copper Queens skipper Barbra Banda has described Zambia’s draw at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 as extremely demanding but insists that with adequate preparation, the team can achieve its objectives at the tournament. Zambia have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and neighbours Malawi.
Speaking to FAZ Media following the WAFCON draw, the Orlando Pride forward acknowledged the quality within Group C, branding it a “group of death.” However, Banda believes that facing Africa’s best is a necessary challenge for a team with ambitions of competing at the highest level.
“I believe when you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. In our group, I feel it is a tough group. Playing against the champions, Nigeria, we played them at the last WAFCON, and this time around we have to do better when we meet again,” Banda said.
Nigeria eliminated Zambia at the quarterfinal stage of the 2024 WAFCON, and Banda is keen for the Copper Queens to show improvement when the two sides meet again on the continental stage. She also highlighted the threats posed by Egypt and Malawi, warning against complacency.
“Not forgetting Malawi, our neighbour, a very good team with quality players, and Egypt also. It is a group of death, but with the Copper Queens, I feel this time we have to prepare adequately so that we go through to the next round,” she added.
Banda further revealed that discussions with head coach Nora Elizabeth Häuptle have been positive, with both leadership figures aligned on the direction and expectations of the team ahead of the tournament.
“Every time I communicate with my coach, we are moving at the same pace. I think we are heading somewhere, but it is a tough group for us,” she said.
The 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year also stressed the importance of the tournament in Zambia’s quest for back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, following their historic debut at the 2023 edition hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“It is very important for Zambia to make it again to the World Cup. Although we qualified for the previous one, we didn’t do our best. These are the games that will make us qualify again, so we definitely have to do our best,” Banda stated.
With the Copper Queens currently in their off-season, Banda believes preparations must begin immediately to give the team a fighting chance of surpassing their quarterfinal finish at the last WAFCON.
“Preparations have to start now because we don’t have time. What can help us is proper preparations and good friendly games so that we can compete with those teams in our group,” she said.
Zambia will open their WAFCON 2026 campaign on March 18 against Egypt, face Nigeria on March 21, and conclude the group stage against Malawi on March 24. The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the four semifinalists will secure qualification to the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Conclusion
With Group C widely viewed as one of the toughest at WAFCON 2026, Barbra Banda’s message is clear: preparation will define Zambia’s fate. Armed with experience, leadership, and ambition, the Copper Queens will be aiming not just to survive the group, but to position themselves for another historic World Cup qualification.
