The Zambia Women’s National Team heads into a decisive TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash with confidence, knowing that victory will keep their dreams of reaching the quarter finals alive. Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle believes her team is in control of its own destiny and is focused entirely on delivering a strong performance against Malawi. The crucial match will be played tomorrow at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, with kick off scheduled for 22:00 CAT. Zambia must secure all three points to remain in contention for a place in the last eight, while Malawi only need a draw to finish at the top of the group. With qualification on the line, the encounter promises to be one of the most important matches of Zambia’s WAFCON campaign.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated fixture, Häuptle expressed confidence in her squad and insisted that the players are embracing the opportunity rather than feeling overwhelmed by the occasion. The Swiss coach said Zambia is fortunate to be in a position where qualification depends entirely on its own performance instead of relying on results from other matches. According to Häuptle, this situation should be viewed as a privilege because it gives the Copper Queens complete control over their destiny. She explained that the team has prepared well and is approaching the match with positivity and belief. For the coach, the focus remains on executing Zambia’s game plan instead of worrying about pressure or mathematical qualification scenarios.
Häuptle emphasized that her players will not be distracted by different qualification calculations before stepping onto the pitch. While acknowledging that many people have discussed possible outcomes and permutations, she stressed that none of those discussions will influence Zambia’s approach during the game. Instead, the Copper Queens intend to concentrate on their own performance and continue building on the positive aspects they have shown throughout the tournament. The coach noted that her side has produced three strong halves in their previous two matches and believes those performances provide a solid foundation going into the decisive contest. She is confident that maintaining consistency and discipline will give Zambia the best chance of securing the victory they need.
The Zambia coach also expects a demanding contest against Malawi, describing the Scorchers as a team with qualities that closely resemble those of the Copper Queens. Häuptle praised Malawi for having talented players competing both domestically and internationally, making them a balanced and competitive side. She pointed out that the two neighboring nations have faced each other on numerous occasions, meaning there are very few tactical surprises left between them. According to the coach, both teams understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making execution and discipline even more important than tactical secrets. Despite Malawi’s quality, Häuptle insists Zambia’s attention will remain on improving its own performance rather than becoming overly concerned with the opposition.
Another important topic addressed by Häuptle was the fitness of star forward Racheal Kundananji. The striker was forced off during Zambia’s narrow defeat to Nigeria’s Super Falcons after appearing to suffer an injury. Häuptle confirmed that Kundananji is currently receiving treatment for a muscle strain sustained during the match. The medical team continues to monitor her recovery ahead of the crucial fixture against Malawi. Her availability will be significant because Kundananji remains one of Zambia’s most dangerous attacking players and an important part of the team’s offensive strategy.
Goalkeeper Hazel Nali echoed her coach’s confidence and determination, making it clear that every player understands what is at stake. Nali said the entire squad knows exactly what they want to achieve and is prepared to work even harder to accomplish that goal. She emphasized that football matches are decided by performances on the field rather than by expectations or predictions. According to the experienced goalkeeper, every player is committed to fighting for the national team and giving everything possible for the country. Her comments reflected the unity and determination within the Copper Queens camp ahead of the decisive encounter.
Nali also dismissed the significance of previous meetings between Zambia and Malawi, insisting that history will not influence tomorrow’s outcome. She explained that every football match presents a new challenge and that past victories or defeats have little impact once the players step onto the field. Instead, the goalkeeper believes the result will depend entirely on how Zambia performs during the ninety minutes. By maintaining focus on the present rather than previous encounters, the Copper Queens hope to produce the level of performance needed to secure qualification. This mindset reflects the team’s determination to create a new chapter in its rivalry with Malawi.
The experienced goalkeeper further highlighted the importance of teamwork as Zambia prepares to face one of Malawi’s biggest strengths, pace. Nali acknowledged that the Scorchers possess several quick and dangerous attacking players capable of causing problems in transition. However, she noted that Zambia trains regularly against fast players such as Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji and several other pacey teammates, giving the squad valuable experience in handling speed. She admitted that dealing with pace has been identified as an area requiring improvement but assured supporters that the team has worked hard to address it in training. Nali expressed confidence that Zambia’s collective effort and tactical discipline would help neutralize Malawi’s threats.
Tomorrow’s Group C clash represents a defining moment in Zambia’s TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign. A victory would keep the Copper Queens’ quarter final hopes alive and reward the confidence shown by both the coaching staff and players throughout the tournament. Häuptle’s calm leadership, combined with the determination expressed by Hazel Nali, demonstrates a squad that remains focused on performance rather than pressure. While Malawi will provide a stern test, Zambia believes its destiny remains firmly in its own hands if the team delivers its best football. With national pride, quarter final qualification and WAFCON ambitions on the line, the Copper Queens will aim to produce a disciplined, united and determined display that keeps their tournament journey alive.