Elite Ladies FC goalkeeper Winfridah Mutale has expressed excitement following her inclusion in the provisional squad for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
She was quick to praise the senior players for the warm welcome her and her fellow youngsters have been handed following their call ups.
“I’m feeling excited and looking at how the team welcomed us. They are very kind and they are very social to us, the young players who just joined the team,” Mutale said.
“I’m now getting used to them and we are interacting like we’re just on the same page.”
The 14 year old days the competition in the team is high as the team continues to prepare for the continental showpiece.
Mutale is targeting making the final squad and says she is working very hard to make sure she makes her way to Morocco.
She advised her fellow young players continue believing saying that time and chance comes for everyone.
“The competition is very high looking at the tournament. We’re looking forward to the tournament, so the competition is very high. Yes, I was because I wasn’t expecting this. I’m looking forward to looking more at the experienced players. I’m now getting used to them, so they are teaching me because they are more experienced than I am,” she said.
“So far, so good. My chances are very high and I’ll keep on working hard to find myself in the final squad. To my fellow young players, I can encourage them to keep on working hard because God’s time is the best. We should all believe in time and chance,” she added.
She also called on the fans to continue supporting the team.
“To our fans, we’re just looking forward to them supporting us. As we go for the tournament, we’ll deliver. We’re looking forward to it,” Mutale said.
With the Copper Queens scheduled to play WAFCON bound Algeria in back-to-back friendly matches later this month, prior to jetting out to Morocco, the local camp is presenting a final audition for players who hope to impress the technical bench before the final squad is named.
Zambia is in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi with the top two teams making it out of the group.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 will run from July 25-August 16.
The top four teams at the WAFCON will qualify to the Brazil 2027 FIFA World Cup that will be staged in July/August.
