Copper Queens head coach Nora Hauptle has described Zambia’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group stage draw as tough but says she is pleased to face defending champions Nigeria early in the tournament.
Zambia were yesterday drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Egypt, and debutants Malawi for the continental showpiece.
The 16-team tournament will run from 17 March to 3 April in Morocco, with matches staged in Rabat, Casablanca, and Fez.
“We have a very tough group with Nigeria, the current champion, and we have Malawi also. Don’t underestimate Malawi,” Hauptle told JoySports after the draw in Rabat. “I think when we succeed in this group, then we’re going to get very strong in the knockouts.”
Zambia, who were labelled as one of the favourites at the last WAFCON, were knocked out by eventual winners Nigeria following a 5–0 quarterfinal defeat, a result that left many disappointed.
Hauptle happy to face Nigeria again
With qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil at stake, the Copper Queens will meet Nigeria earlier this time around, a prospect Hauptle has welcomed.
“Last time we lost against Nigeria, the current champions; this time we face them in the group stage. I am happy that we face them a bit earlier; I think it’s to find a good tactical key, and I think when we really survive this strong group, we’re going to get very confident in the knockout stage,” the Swiss coach said.
She added: “So I am happy to face them again; it’s me. I like the challenges, and I like to do it again. It’s football; sometimes you fail, and then you need to take the right conclusions to get up, and that’s what we are going to do.”
Zambia will be making their fourth appearance at the WAFCON finals, with their best finish coming in 2022 when they reached the semifinals and claimed bronze to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. They will be hoping to repeat that feat and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Hauptle’s charges will open their campaign against Egypt at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on March 18 before facing Nigeria at the same venue on March 21. They will wrap up their group-stage matches against Malawi at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
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