The Copper Queens trained at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria, on Friday evening as preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) gathered pace.
Head coach Nora Häuptle conducted the session with all 19 players currently in camp taking part.
Grace Chanda, who arrived on Thursday, became the first of the seven foreign-based players still expected in camp to report for duty.
Captain Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Ireen Lungu, Fridah Mukoma, Prisca Chilufya and Kabange Mupopo are expected to join the squad in line with FIFA’s mandatory player release period, which takes effect seven days before the start of the tournament.
According to Häuptle, the remaining players are expected to be available for selection when Zambia face Algeria in their final international friendly on July 22, when she will also name her final 21-member squad for the WAFCON finals in Morocco.
The Copper Queens take on Algeria in their first international friendly on Sunday, July 19, at the Moustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida.
Match Details
Kickoff: 20h00
Venue: Moustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
The FAZ Media team shares pictures from Friday evening’s training session in Algiers.
