Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda says for the Copper Queens to be the best team they have to beat the best at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026.
Banda was reacting to the Copper Queens draw where they were paired alongside Champions Nigeria, Egypt and neighbors Malawi in Group C for continental showpiece.
Banda admits that the group is a tough Group but believes adequate preparations will be key for the Copper Queens to have a better tournament than their last outing.
“I believe that when you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So in our group I feel it’s a tough group and playing against the champions, which is Nigeria, we played them the last Africa Cup and I think this time around we are up to do better when we meet again against them. Not forgetting Malawi, also our neighbour, a very good team, very good quality players, and there is also Egypt,” She said.
“So it’s a group of death, but I think to me, with a team, the Copper Queens, I think this time around we have to prepare adequately so that we go through to the next round, which I feel I have a good feeling and every time I communicate with my coach, I think we are always moving at the same pace. I think we are always moving at the same pace. And I think we are heading somewhere, but it is a tough group for us,”
Banda also confirmed that she is back to full fitness after sustaining a hip injury back in August that kept her out for three months and ended her NWSL season prematurely.
Banda says the 2026 WAFCON is very important for the Copper Queens since it will double as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Yeah, as the group has been drawn already, so I think a few preparations have to start now because we don’t have time. We don’t have much time. We’ve been in the off-season, we’ve had injuries, players with injuries, and I’m sure by now everyone is back on their feet like I am here. So I think for us, that can help us to have proper preparations, good friendly games for us to go out there and, you know, compete with those teams in our group,” she said.
“It is very important for Zambia to make it again to the World Cup because I think for the previous one we’ve qualified and also we didn’t get our berths. These are the games that they’re going to make us qualify for the World Cup, so definitely we have to qualify for the World Cup. We have to qualify for the World Cup, meaning we have to do our best,” she added.
The tournament will be played from 17 March-3 April 2026 in Morocco.
