It’s exactly 11 days before the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco. Among the 12 participating nations, Zambia’s Copper Queens—considered by many as one of the tournament favourites—have departed Lusaka for Rabat, where they will open their campaign on July 5 against hosts Morocco.

The Copper Queens are in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After reaching the semifinals for the first time in the last edition in 2022, the team now boasts a new coach, Nora Hauptle, who took over from Bruce Mwape in January after leaving her role with Ghana.

Confidence is high, with newly elected Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba urging the squad to aim for nothing less than victory.

“We are going to the African Cup of Nations not just to be participants but to win, and everything centers on preparation, the mindset and the mental strength. All those things are very important,” Mweemba told the players before their departure for Rabat on Sunday.

Mweemba also emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to make history.

“It will be very painful to go into retirement with no silverware, knowing you had the best opportunity to win for your country. If this team plays as one unit, you will see the people of Zambia at the airport when you return with the trophy. We want that moment again,” said Mweemba, referencing the Chipolopolo’s historic 2012 AFCON triumph.

Zambia heads into the tournament with top talent, including reigning CAF African Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda and the world’s second most expensive female footballer, Racheal Kundananji.

Banda, who recently became the first Zambian player—male or female—to score over 50 international goals since Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu (who holds the record with 79), will be making her WAFCON debut. She missed the 2022 edition after CAF controversially disqualified her over alleged high testosterone levels—claims the continental body later denied.

Banda currently has 57 goals in 65 appearances for the Copper Queens.

Expectations are high for Zambia, with a clear target: to win the WAFCON title for the first time. They face stiff competition from record champions Nigeria (nine-time winners), defending champions South Africa (one title in 2022), and three-time winners Equatorial Guinea.

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