Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda has called on Zambian football fans to fill the stands and support the national team during the Four Nations Tournament, describing it as the final home preparation window before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament will be staged at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, giving supporters a rare opportunity to watch the team in action on home soil before the continental competition begins. Banda stressed that the team needs strong crowd support as they fine tune tactics and build momentum. She highlighted the importance of playing in front of home fans during this crucial stage of preparation. The message comes at a time when excitement is growing around Zambia’s WAFCON campaign.
Speaking after a training session in Ndola, Banda said the squad is approaching the Four Nations Tournament with full seriousness. She explained that there are no easy matches at this level, especially with teams like Kenya also preparing for WAFCON. The Copper Queens captain said every game will be competitive and physically demanding. She added that Zambia’s focus is on consistency, discipline, and strong performances across all matches. The team is using the tournament to test combinations and sharpen match fitness before heading into continental competition.
Banda made a direct appeal to supporters, urging them to come in large numbers to the stadium. She said the players want to feel the energy of the crowd as they play their final home matches before WAFCON. She also emphasized that fans should expect committed performances from the squad. According to her, the team understands the expectations placed on them, especially when playing in Ndola where support is traditionally strong. She encouraged fans to be part of the journey by attending both matches and backing the team throughout the tournament.
The Orlando Pride forward has been in outstanding form, scoring 11 goals in 10 matches, and she attributed her performance to discipline and hard work. She said her focus is driven by long-term goals and personal ambition to grow her career to the highest level. Banda explained that maintaining consistency requires constant effort on and off the pitch. She added that her form is also motivated by the responsibility of leading the national team. Her current scoring run has boosted confidence within the squad ahead of the WAFCON challenge.
Beyond the tournament, Banda outlined Zambia’s bigger objective of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She said the team is fully aware that strong performance at WAFCON is the pathway to securing qualification. The top four teams will earn a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, a target Zambia is determined to reach. She acknowledged that the competition will be tough, especially in the knockout stages. However, she insisted that proper preparation gives the team a real chance to compete at the highest level again.
Banda also highlighted the importance of progressing step by step through the tournament structure. She said the team’s immediate goal is to perform well in the group phase and reach the final stages. She emphasized that every match matters because qualification is only secured through consistent results. She added that facing top African teams provides valuable experience that helps the squad grow. Zambia’s ambition remains focused on returning to the global stage and competing against the best teams in the world.
The Four Nations Tournament will see Zambia face Kenya on Saturday at 15h00 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Zimbabwe will take on Lesotho in the earlier fixture at lunchtime. The winners of both matches will meet in the final on Tuesday at 18h00, while the losing teams will compete in a third-place playoff at 15h00. Zambia and Kenya are using the competition as preparation for WAFCON, while Zimbabwe and Lesotho are also building towards their future fixtures. The structure offers all teams competitive match experience ahead of major tournaments.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, with Zambia placed in Group C alongside Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi. The group presents a challenging path, with strong opposition expected from all sides. Ticket sales for the Four Nations Tournament are available through the FAZ Tech Pay platform, with prices set at K50 for East, North, and South stands, K150 for West stands, and K300 for VIP access. One ticket covers both matches on each matchday, giving fans full access to the tournament action. As preparations continue, attention now turns to Ndola where the Copper Queens aim to sharpen form, build confidence, and rally national support ahead of a major continental test.