Copper Queens striker Racheal Kundananji has praised Zambia’s resilience and determination following the team’s heartbreaking exit from the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Despite defeating Malawi 2-1 in their final Group C fixture, the Copper Queens narrowly missed out on a place in the quarterfinals after CAF’s head-to-head tiebreak regulations separated Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi, who all finished level on six points.
Heartbreak Despite Victory
Zambia’s campaign ended in dramatic fashion after a three-way tie at the top of Group C.
Although the Copper Queens secured victories over Egypt and Malawi, the head-to-head tiebreak criteria left them third in the mini-table involving the three tied teams, ending their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
It was a cruel conclusion to a campaign in which Zambia remained in contention until the final whistle of the group stage.
Kundananji Praises the Team
Despite the disappointment, Kundananji paid tribute to her teammates for their commitment, unity and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.
The Zambia international said the squad gave everything on the pitch and represented the country with pride against some of Africa’s strongest teams.
She expressed pride in the collective effort shown by the players, who continued battling until the very end despite the difficult circumstances.
Belief in the Future
Kundananji encouraged the Copper Queens to remain united and use the painful experience as motivation for future competitions.
The forward believes Zambia has once again demonstrated its ability to compete with the continent’s elite and remains confident the team will come back stronger.
With a blend of experienced stars and emerging young talent, she believes the future remains bright for the Copper Queens.
Lessons for the Next Challenge
Although the WAFCON journey ended earlier than expected, Zambia leaves Morocco with valuable experience and plenty of positives to build upon.
The Copper Queens showed resilience, quality and determination throughout the tournament and will now shift their focus to future international assignments as they continue their quest for continental success.
Conclusion
The disappointment of missing out on the WAFCON quarterfinals will take time to heal, but Racheal Kundananji believes the Copper Queens have laid a strong foundation for the future.
With the squad remaining united and determined, Zambia will be aiming to return even stronger and continue establishing itself among Africa’s leading women’s football nations.
