Zambia’s Copper Queens are gearing up for a crucial and competitive final group stage match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The showdown is set for Saturday at 21:00 CAT at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia and will be broadcast live on ZNBC TV 1, Diamond TV, and SuperSport.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference held at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, head coach Nora Häuptle highlighted the varied challenges her team has encountered so far in Group A. From Morocco’s technical prowess to Senegal’s physical gameplay, Häuptle anticipates a blend of styles from DR Congo.
“We are ready. We have been able to observe the performance from the two games. We went from a very technical approach in Morocco to a very physical approach in Senegal. Now I think DR Congo is a bit mixed. They have a bit of a mixture with some technical players inside,” Häuptle said.
Despite DR Congo’s exit from the tournament after consecutive losses, Häuptle stressed the importance of taking the final group match seriously. “We expect them to do a good job. They should also be prepared for us. This is still a big game, it’s going to be the final clash of the group,” she remarked.
The Swiss tactician explained that the Copper Queens remain focused on internal improvement rather than over-analyzing opponents. “We are not calculating too much. We just keep growing, focus on our KPIs and adjust where necessary. We are very focused in our process,” Häuptle noted.
One significant blow for Zambia is the suspension of key midfielder Grace Chanda for the match. Häuptle, however, praised Chanda’s exceptional contribution to the team and highlighted the squad’s depth, especially with defender Martha Tembo returning from suspension.
“Grace is a fantastic footballer. She’s played more minutes here than she has at her club all year. So this break could help her recover a bit,” Häuptle said. “I always think of the tournament as six games. That’s why we brought a full squad of 24 players; everyone has a role. Martha was coming on the pitch with full aggression. She was attacking very bravely, very strongly when she came in the game so I think we have a good adaptability in this squad.”
As the Copper Queens prepare for what could be a decisive battle, Häuptle’s focus remains on unity, adaptability, and maintaining the team’s upward momentum in the tournament.
With high stakes on the line, Zambia’s hopes of progressing beyond the group stage hinge on their ability to execute their game plan and overcome the mixed tactical threat posed by DR Congo. Fans will be watching keenly as the Copper Queens aim to end their group campaign on a high note.