The Zambia Women’s National Team, popularly known as the Copper Queens, is entering the final phase of its preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Head coach Nora Häuptle has emphasized that Wednesday’s second and final international friendly against Algeria will serve as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune the squad before the team travels to Morocco. After spending a week in Algiers for an intensive training camp, the Copper Queens are focused on sharpening their tactics, assessing player fitness and building momentum ahead of Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament. The friendly match follows a competitive 1-1 draw between the two sides on Sunday, providing valuable lessons for both players and coaches. With only one more game before the tournament begins, the technical team is determined to ensure the squad is fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
The Copper Queens have used their training camp in Algeria to improve match fitness, strengthen tactical understanding and help players adapt to different playing conditions. Sunday’s first friendly offered the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to evaluate the current squad in a competitive environment. Zambia showed resilience after a difficult start and managed to recover well to secure a draw against the North African side. The experience highlighted areas that require improvement while also showcasing the team’s ability to adapt during matches. These lessons will play an important role as the squad continues its preparations for WAFCON.
Coach Nora Häuptle explained that the opening friendly was particularly important because it allowed the technical bench to assess every available player. She revealed that all 19 players currently in camp were given the opportunity to feature during the match, enabling the coaching staff to gather valuable information about individual performances and team chemistry. Häuptle acknowledged that Zambia initially struggled because of the hot weather conditions, which required time for the players to adjust. However, she was pleased with the team’s response after settling into the game, noting that the Copper Queens enjoyed good possession and demonstrated stability in various tactical formations. The coach believes those positive moments provide a strong foundation as the team prepares for its final warm-up match.
The second friendly against Algeria at Mustapher Tchaker Stadium in Blida will have a different focus compared to the first encounter. Rather than simply evaluating performances, the coaching staff will concentrate heavily on player management and ensuring the squad remains physically ready for the tournament. Häuptle stressed that every player will be assessed before kickoff so that workloads can be carefully managed. Preventing injuries has become one of the technical team’s highest priorities, especially for players who joined the camp later than others and are still recovering from long-distance travel. Careful planning will allow the coaching staff to strike the right balance between maintaining match sharpness and protecting players from unnecessary physical strain.
One of the biggest boosts for the Copper Queens has been the arrival of captain Barbra Banda, whose leadership and experience are expected to strengthen the squad ahead of WAFCON. Häuptle welcomed the star forward’s arrival, describing her presence as a significant positive for the team even though she is still adapting after her journey. The coach explained that Banda had a smooth trip but requires additional time to fully recover before playing extended minutes. The technical bench plans to gradually integrate her into the match without placing excessive physical demands on her. This cautious approach reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring that one of its most influential players reaches the tournament in peak condition.
The coaching staff is also monitoring the progress of Ochumba, who has now linked up with the national team after previously featuring during the June international window. Häuptle confirmed that the player is expected to receive more playing time during Wednesday’s friendly as part of the final assessment process. Giving players additional minutes allows the technical bench to evaluate different combinations and identify the strongest lineup for the tournament. It also provides valuable match experience for players who may be called upon during crucial moments at WAFCON. Building confidence across the entire squad remains an important objective as Zambia prepares to compete against Africa’s best teams.
The Copper Queens have built a reputation as one of the continent’s strongest women’s football teams in recent years, with several players competing professionally in top international leagues. Their growing experience at major tournaments has raised expectations ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Training camps and international friendlies such as those against Algeria provide essential opportunities to refine tactical systems and improve teamwork before facing stronger competition. Every training session and match contributes to the team’s readiness, ensuring players understand their responsibilities in different game situations. The coaching staff hopes these final preparations will translate into strong performances once the tournament begins in Morocco.
Wednesday’s match carries added significance because it represents the final opportunity for the technical team to assess the squad before the Copper Queens depart for Morocco on Thursday. Every player’s performance, fitness level and tactical awareness will be carefully evaluated before final decisions are made regarding the team’s approach for the tournament. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 local time, which is 19:00 Zambian time, giving supporters another chance to see the team in action before WAFCON begins. The coaching staff will be looking for improved execution, greater consistency and continued adaptation to the conditions as the players complete their preparations. A positive performance would provide an important confidence boost ahead of the competition.
As the countdown to the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations continues, the Copper Queens remain focused on ensuring every detail is in place before the tournament begins. Nora Häuptle and her technical team have placed equal emphasis on tactical improvement, player fitness and squad management throughout the Algeria training camp. The return of key players such as captain Barbra Banda, combined with the continued assessment of the full squad, has strengthened Zambia’s preparations for the continental showpiece. Wednesday’s friendly against Algeria will provide one final test before attention shifts fully to the challenges awaiting in Morocco. With careful planning, experienced leadership and a talented squad, the Copper Queens will aim to arrive at WAFCON ready to compete for success on Africa’s biggest women’s football stage.