Copper Queens to Open WAFCON Against Hosts Morocco
The Copper Queens will face hosts Morocco in the opening match of their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on Saturday, 5 July at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat. This marks a high-stakes beginning for Zambia as they target another historic run in the continent’s premier women’s football tournament.
Group A Fixtures Confirmed
According to the official CAF fixture list, Zambia will compete in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo.
Following their opener against the Atlas Lionesses, the Copper Queens will face Senegal on 9 July at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia. They will then wrap up the group phase with a key clash against DR Congo on 12 July at the same venue.
These fixtures present a balanced but challenging test for Nora Häuptle’s side, who are eyeing a deeper run than their bronze-medal finish at the 2022 edition.
Building Momentum in South Africa
The Copper Queens are currently participating in a three-nation friendly series in Pretoria, South Africa, as part of their WAFCON preparations. The team will face Botswana on Saturday, 31 May, before concluding the series with a match against defending WAFCON champions South Africa on Tuesday, 3 June.
Coach Häuptle is expected to use these high-intensity friendlies to assess the fitness, cohesion, and readiness of her squad before heading to Morocco.
Zambia Aiming to Surpass Bronze Finish
At the last edition of WAFCON in 2022, the Copper Queens made history by winning bronze and qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. With a core squad featuring stars like Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, and Grace Chanda, Zambia is well-positioned to challenge for a spot in the WAFCON semifinals or beyond.
The pressure is now on Häuptle to guide this talented generation to new heights, starting with a strong performance in Group A.
Conclusion
With Group A fixtures now confirmed, Zambia’s path at WAFCON 2025 begins under the spotlight in Rabat against the hosts. These early fixtures will set the tone for what promises to be a defining tournament for the Copper Queens as they aim to turn potential into podium success.
