Despite beating Malawi 2-1 in the final group match, Zambia bowed out of the WAFCON 2026 in heartbreaking circumstances. Barbra Banda and Prisca Chilufya established the two goal lead the Copper Queens needed to qualify for the knockouts before Tabitha Chawinga scored what proved to be much more than a consolation goal.
BolaNews rates the performances of the Zambian women’s national team players in their narrow win over the Scorchers at the Al Madina Stadium on Wednesday.
GOALKEEPER
Hazel Nali (7/10): The goalkeeper led her backline proficiently, making important saves, successful runs off her line and starting a good number of attacking moves.
DEFENCE
Margret Belemu (9/10): Belemu was at the top of her game against Malawi, making a mesmerizing run down the right wing to set up Chilufya’s cushion goal.
Mapalo Maluba (7/10): She was solid in defence, keeping Malawi’s deadly strikers at bay on multiple occasions.
Lushomo Mweemba (8/10): Mweemba read the game exceptionally, clearing away danger before it materialized. She outwitted the Chawinga sisters throughout the match until Tabitha’s pace came to the fore when Malawi scored.
Racheal Nachula (7/10): The veteran fullback made a couple of noteworthy defensive interventions at the back.
MIDFIELDERS
Rhodah Chileshe (6/10): She was a reliable shield for Zambia’s defence.
Ireen Lungu (6/10): After a quiet first stanza, Lungu’s influence grew in the second half as she was first to clear away dangerous balls in midfield.
Grace Chanda (7/10): A composed and seamless performance from Chanda, who was pulling the strings in midfield.
FORWARDS
Prisca Chilufya (7/10): She got the goal that sent Zambia through and offered some physicality in deep areas but did not provide many creative attacking moments in advanced areas.
Eneless Phiri (7/10): She twinkled and tiptoed past Malawi’s defence time and again forcing the Scorchers to resort to rugby tackles.
Barbra Banda (7/10): Banda put Zambia in the driving seat in the first half with a venomous shot. The accuracy of her passing and overall play, however, declined in the latter stages of the contest.
SUBSTITUTES
Ochumba Lubanji Oseke (6/10): She was so unlucky as the shot which would have seen Zambia go 3-1 up came back off the crossbar at the death.
Evarine Katongo and Mercy Chipasula (both 6/10): Katongo came into midfield with ten minutes of normal time to play, alongside Chipasula, who was industrious and threatening.
Avell Chitundu (N/A): The 2025-26 Zambian Women’s Super League topscorer was summoned off the bench as Zambia search for the golden goal.
COACH
Nora Häuptle (7/10): As Shaka Zulu once said from the 1986 rendering, “Never leave an enemy behind“. Despite a great performance, Zambia failed to finish off Malawi when they had the chance and paid the price. No 2027 FIFA World Cup qualification for Häuptle’s side.
