The Zambia Women’s National Football Team, popularly known as the Copper Queens, has departed for South Africa ahead of two crucial international friendly matches as part of their build-up to the 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco from 5 to 26 July 2025.
The team left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Tuesday afternoon at 13:35hrs aboard a South African Airways flight and is expected to touch down in Johannesburg later the same day. Led by head coach Nora Häuptle, the squad is geared up for back-to-back friendlies that will offer valuable competitive experience as they fine-tune tactics and build team cohesion.
The Copper Queens will face Botswana on 31 May, followed by a highly anticipated match against hosts South Africa on 3 June in Pretoria. Both fixtures are seen as important tests, especially against regional rivals who are also preparing for continental and global tournaments.
Striker Racheal Kundananji, who rejoined the squad ahead of the trip, expressed her excitement about the upcoming games. “It feels good to be back,” she said. “We are taking every match seriously. Botswana and South Africa are strong sides and we will not underrate them. These games are important for our preparation, and we are ready to give our best.”
The Copper Queens have grown into a formidable force on the African football scene, with recent performances on the continental and global stage drawing international attention. Their qualification for the 2025 WAFCON has heightened expectations, and the team is determined to sharpen its form ahead of the tournament.
Coach Häuptle is expected to use the friendlies to test different combinations and assess players’ readiness as she fine-tunes the final squad for Morocco. The team’s technical bench is also focused on maintaining fitness levels and instilling tactical discipline as they build towards peak performance for the prestigious continental showpiece.
As the countdown to WAFCON 2025 begins, the Zambia Women’s National Team continues to attract nationwide support, with fans hopeful that the Copper Queens will not only perform well in South Africa but also make a deep run in Morocco come July next year.