Copper Queens’ WAFCON Odyssey: Zambia’s Rise from 2014 Debut to 2025 Quarterfinals

Khoshnaw Rahmani, Jadetimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering sport.

---

Image Source: Nokwanda Zondi

1. A Defining Moroccan Chapter

On July 18, 2025, Zambia’s Copper Queens bowed out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the quarterfinal stage, falling 5–0 to nine-time champions Nigeria in Casablanca. Yet the scoreline belies a transformative tournament: an unbeaten group stage, the emergence of new stars, and a tactical sophistication that cements Zambia’s position among Africa’s elite women’s teams.

2. Beyond Victory and Defeat

This campaign marked Zambia’s fourth WAFCON appearance since 2014 and third consecutive top-eight finish. Under Swiss coach Nora Häuptle, the Copper Queens blended attacking flair with disciplined pressing, showcasing how targeted investment, professional exposure, and visionary leadership have reshaped Zambian women’s football. Their journey offers insights into:

• The fast–evolving landscape of African women’s football

• The strategic shift from underdogs to contenders

• Parallels and contrasts with Zambia’s men’s team at AFCON

3. Historical Trajectory: Copper Queens at WAFCON

3.1 2014 Namibia: The Debut

• Coach: Enala Phiri-Simpson

• Group opponents: Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria

• Results: • 0–6 vs. Nigeria • 0–4 vs. South Africa • 1–1 vs. Algeria (first-ever WAFCON goal by Mayowa Musonda)

• Key takeaway: Exposed to top-level competition, lessons in physicality and pace

3.2 2018 Ghana: Building Foundations

• Coach: Bruce Mwape (appointed late 2017)

• Group: Cameroon, Mali, Ghana

• Results: • 0–3 vs. Cameroon • 1–2 vs. Mali (goal by Mary M’shimba) • 0–2 vs. Ghana

• Progress: Narrower margins, improved defensive organization, first WAFCON goal defeat under 2 goals

3.3 2022 Morocco: Historic Bronze

• Coach: Bruce Mwape

• Group: Tunisia, Togo, Cameroon

• Results: • 2–1 vs. Tunisia • 3–0 vs. Togo • 1–0 vs. Cameroon

• Knockouts: • Quarterfinal: 1–0 vs. Ivory Coast (goal: Grace Chanda) • Semifinal: 1–2 vs. hosts Morocco (nearly overturned tardy goal) • Third-place: 1–0 vs. Nigeria (Barbra Banda hat–trick hero → own goal winner)

• Milestones: First podium, WAFCON-named “Best Defensive Side,” qualification for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

3.4 2025 Morocco: Tactical Leap, Quarterfinal Exit

• Coach: Nora Häuptle

• Group: Morocco, Senegal, DR Congo

• Results: • 2–2 vs. Morocco (Banda, Kundananji) • 3–2 vs. Senegal (Banda ×2, Kundananji) • 1–0 vs. DR Congo (Kundananji)

• Quarterfinal: 0–5 vs. Nigeria

• Significance: Unbeaten group run, aggressive press, deeper bench rotation

4. Inside WAFCON 2025: Zambia’s Campaign Unpacked

4.1 Pre-Tournament Preparation

• Friendly fixtures: • 1–0 win v. South Africa (June 2) • 2–1 win v. Botswana (June 8)

• Training camp: Six-week residency in Durban focusing on high-intensity pressing drills and zonal defending

• Squad selection: 25 players blending domestic league stars and Europe-based professionals

4.2 Squad Composition & Key Profiles

Player	Position	Club (2025)	Notable Achievements
Barbra Banda (c)	Forward	UHLSports Warsaw (Poland)	First woman to score Olympic back–to–back hat–tricks (2020)
Racheal Kundananji	Forward	Bay FC (USA)	Africa’s most expensive transfer ($860 000)
Grace Chanda	Midfielder	Shanghai Shengli (China)	WAFCON 2022 “Best Midfielder”; leadership off the pitch
Mary M’bayo	Defender	Green Buffaloes FC (ZMB)	Club captain; tactical versatility at left back and center back
Hazel Nali	Goalkeeper	Hasaacas Ladies (GHA)	2024 Ghana Golden Glove nominee; key penalty saves
Hazel Makandula	Defender	BIIK Kazygurt (KAZ)	Euro–Kazakh Cup winner; aerial dominance
Sylivia Chivambo	Midfielder	Red Arrows FC (ZMB)	Emerging playmaker; breakout WAFCON debut
Stella Phiri	Midfielder	Copper Queens Academy	Youngest squad member; captain of U–20 World Cup campaign
Plus 17 others	Various	Domestic & abroad	Squad balance of youth and experience

4.3 Tactical Framework

• Base system: Flexible 4–3–3 morphing into 4–2–3–1 in possession

• Pressing: Coordinated front three to force turnovers high up

• Build-up: Fullbacks (M’bayo, Makandula) invert to midfield, enabling double pivot (Chanda, Chivambo) to distribute

• Transitions: Quick vertical passes to Banda and Kundananji exploiting half-spaces

4.4 Match-by-Match Analysis

Group Match 1: Zambia 2–2 Morocco

• Flow: Zambia struck after 2 minutes (Banda header), Morocco equalized before half-time (Haddad)

• Tactical highlight: Early overload on right flank between Banda and Chanda created gaps

• Adjustment: Häuptle introduced 3–4–3 counter–press in second half to regain initiative

Group Match 2: Zambia 3–2 Senegal

• Resilience: Two-goal deficit turned around by second-half substitutions—Phiri for deep playmaking

• Key moment: Kundananji’s 68th-minute winner from rebounded free-kick

Group Match 3: Zambia 1–0 DR Congo

• Efficiency: Lone goal from Kundananji after 12-pass buildup; controlled possession for 65% of match

• Defensive solidity: Nali’s 78th-minute save preserved clean sheet

Quarterfinal: Zambia 0–5 Nigeria

• Analysis: Nigeria exploited wide overloads and set-piece mismatches

• Physical factors: Intense schedule (3 matches in 8 days) exposed fitness gaps

• Learning point: Need for deeper rotation in defense and midfield to maintain intensity

5. Domestic Foundations: Building a Pipeline

5.1 Copper Queens Academy & U–20 Pathway

• Est. 2018 with GIZ support

• Output: Five academy graduates in 2025 squad, including Stella Phiri and Sylivia Chivambo

• Competitions: National U–20 league, annual inter-provincial tournaments

5.2 Women’s Super Division (Zambia)

• Clubs: Red Arrows, Green Buffaloes, ZESCO Ladies, Indeni Roses

• Professionalization: Introduction of player contracts (2023), minimum wage policy (2024)

• Broadcasting: Live-stream deals with ZNBC, streaming viewership average 150,000 per match

5.3 Coaching & Referee Development

• Licensing: CAF B and A licenses awarded to 20 female coaches (2022–2025)

• Referees: Five women referees selected for AFCON 2023, three promoted to FIFA list in 2024

6. Chipolopolo vs. Copper Queens: A Comparative Lens

Dimension	Copper Queens (WAFCON)	Chipolopolo (AFCON)
First major appearance	2014 WAFCON	1974 CAF Qualifiers
Best continental finish	3rd place (2022)	Champions (2012)
Recent tournament	Quarterfinals (2025)	Group-stage exit (2023)
Resource allocation	15% of FAZ budget (2024)	40% of FAZ budget (2024)
Professional contracts	60% of squad contracted (2025)	85% of squad contracted (2025)
Global brand value	USD 4.2 m (brands & sponsorships)	USD 7.8 m
FIFA ranking	77 (July 2025)	91 (July 2025)

Despite historic investment disparities, the women’s team has outpaced the men in recent performance consistency and youth integration, challenging FAZ to reconsider long–term funding models.

7. Continental Context: Women’s Football in Africa

• WAFCON expansion: From 8 teams in 2014 to 12 in 2025—reflects rising competitiveness

• FIFA investment: USD 1 billion Women’s Football Strategy (2020–2026) funding CAF-wide development

• Regional pull: COSAFA CAD tournament as a proving ground; Zambia crowned champions three times since 2019

8. Timeline: Copper Queens’ Milestones

Year	Achievement
2014	WAFCON debut—first goal scored (Musonda), group-stage exit
2018	Narrowed defeats, first goal vs. Mali (M’shimba)
2020	Tokyo Olympics participation; Banda’s back-to-back hat-tricks
2022	Historic WAFCON bronze; first win over Nigeria; World Cup qualification
2023	World Cup debut; first victory vs. Costa Rica
2024	COSAFA Championship title; professional contracts and wage minimums introduced
2025	Unbeaten group stage at WAFCON; quarterfinals exit under Häuptle

9. Future Outlook: Paris, Beyond, and Legacy

• Paris 2024 Olympics: Zambia’s first-ever Olympic women’s football match in July–August 2024 built experience for WAFCON 2025

• WAFCON 2027: Zambia bids to host group matches, leveraging CAF’s rotational hosting policy

• FAZ investment: Proposal for an independent Women’s Football Department with dedicated revenue streams

• Grassroots: Expansion of primary school festivals to all ten provinces by 2026

By deepening domestic structures, diversifying funding, and cementing a high-performance culture, the Copper Queens aim to transform quarterfinals into semifinals—and later, tournament finals.

10. Conclusion: A New Standard of Excellence

From the painful lessons of 2014 to the tactical maturity of 2025, the Copper Queens have redefined Zambia’s football narrative. Their unbeaten group run in Morocco, the rise of global stars like Banda and Kundananji, and the evolution under Nora Häuptle all point to a golden era in Zambian women’s football. As they prepare for Paris and beyond, the Copper Queens stand not just as athletes but as symbols of ambition, resilience, and national pride—proof that methodical investment, coaching excellence, and community passion can rewrite sporting destinies.