The Zambia Women’s National Team, popularly known as the Copper Queens, played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Algeria in the first of two international friendly matches ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The match took place on Sunday at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, providing both teams with an important opportunity to fine-tune their preparations before the continental tournament. Zambia entered the fixture looking to build momentum while giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate players before selecting the final WAFCON squad. Although the Copper Queens were unable to secure victory, the match delivered valuable lessons that will help shape their preparations in the coming days. The result also highlighted both the team’s attacking quality and the areas that require improvement before the competition begins in Morocco.
The opening stages of the match proved challenging for Zambia as Algeria settled into the contest more quickly. The Copper Queens struggled to find their rhythm during the first half and were forced to deal with unfamiliar playing conditions that affected their passing and overall performance. Algeria pressed well and limited Zambia’s attacking opportunities during the early exchanges, making it difficult for the visitors to establish control. Despite the slow start, Zambia gradually improved as the first half progressed and began enjoying more possession of the ball. Their growing confidence before the break laid the foundation for a much stronger performance after halftime.
Zambia’s improvement was rewarded almost immediately after the restart when Mercy Chipasula opened the scoring in the 47th minute. The talented striker found the back of the net just two minutes into the second half, giving the Copper Queens a deserved lead after their improved display. Her goal reflected Zambia’s increased attacking intent and ability to create opportunities once they settled into the match. The breakthrough energized the team and shifted momentum in their favor as they looked to extend their advantage. Chipasula’s finish also served as a reminder of her growing importance within the national team as preparations continue for WAFCON.
Following the opening goal, Zambia enjoyed several promising moments and appeared capable of adding a second. The Copper Queens controlled possession more effectively and created chances that could have put the result beyond Algeria’s reach. However, missed opportunities kept the hosts within touching distance throughout the second half. Football often punishes teams that fail to capitalize on their chances, and Zambia would eventually experience that harsh reality. Their inability to convert additional scoring opportunities ultimately proved costly as the match entered its closing stages.
The turning point came late in the game when goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte received a red card, reducing Zambia to ten players. The dismissal placed the Copper Queens under significant pressure during the final minutes as Algeria pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute, providing them with the perfect opportunity to level the score. Algeria successfully converted the spot kick to make it 1-1, denying Zambia what had looked like a deserved victory. The late equalizer demonstrated how quickly football matches can change, especially when a team is forced to play with fewer players.
Head coach Nora Häuptle acknowledged that her side experienced difficulties during the opening stages of the contest. She explained that Zambia did not start well during the first thirty minutes because the players were distracted, committed technical errors and had to adapt to the heat and humidity. According to Häuptle, the team eventually found its rhythm, improved possession and took greater control of the match after overcoming those early challenges. She believed the performance in the second half showed the team’s true quality and ability to compete. Her assessment suggested that while the result was disappointing, the overall performance provided several encouraging signs ahead of the tournament.
The Copper Queens coach also expressed disappointment that her team failed to score a second goal when opportunities presented themselves. She believed Zambia had done enough to win the match before the late penalty changed the outcome. Despite the setback, Häuptle described the friendly as a valuable exercise because it allowed the technical team to assess individual performances before finalizing the WAFCON squad. She also revealed that the coaching staff intentionally gave playing time to several players who needed international experience before the arrival of overseas-based stars. With captain Barbra Banda and striker Racheal Kundananji expected to join the squad, these matches provide an ideal opportunity to evaluate the depth of the team.
Goalscorer Mercy Chipasula was pleased to contribute with an important goal but admitted the team had hoped to leave the field with a victory. She described the match as competitive and acknowledged that Algeria made life difficult throughout the contest. Chipasula emphasized that the players had identified their mistakes and understood the need to improve before the second friendly. She stressed that Zambia must not allow Algeria as much space in the next encounter if they hope to achieve a better result. Her comments reflected the determination within the squad to learn from the draw and produce a stronger performance.
Defender Blessings Maluba shared a similar view, pointing out that the Copper Queens recovered well after their slow beginning. She praised the team’s second-half improvement but admitted they needed to become more clinical in front of goal. Maluba believes a stronger start in the next match will be essential if Zambia wants to control proceedings from the opening whistle. She also highlighted the importance of taking scoring opportunities and delivering a better performance for the supporters. Her comments demonstrated the squad’s collective understanding that improvements are necessary before WAFCON begins.
The Copper Queens will now turn their attention to the second and final friendly against Algeria, which will be played at the same venue on Wednesday. The match represents the final opportunity for the coaching staff to fine-tune tactics, assess player combinations and finalize preparations before departing for Morocco on Thursday. While the first encounter ended in a draw, Zambia showed enough quality to believe they can produce an even stronger display in the rematch. The experience gained from playing under challenging conditions and responding to adversity will be valuable once the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations gets underway. As the Copper Queens continue their preparations, the lessons learned in Blida could play an important role in helping Zambia compete successfully on Africa’s biggest stage for women’s football.