By FAZ Media Copper Queens captain Rachael Kundananji says the team’s objective is to finish off the job on Sunday against Namibia and qualify for the Morocco 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking during a pre-match press conference at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, the Bay FC star said the team was ready for the Brave Gladiators of Namibia. “The team is ready, we have prepared, coach Nora has helped us to work on our mistakes. The last 90 minutes are more important than anything, this is what will determine our fate,” she says. “We want to be at the WAFCON, that is our aim and we are not backing down, we are ready for that, we are just waiting for tomorrow.” Kundananji urged the fans to turn up in numbers and cheer the Copper Queens at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. “Playing before a packed stadium is a great motivation for us. It helps the team work harder and push more,” she says. Zambia lead the Brave Gladiators 4-2 from the first leg played at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. The Bay FC striker who has been nominated for the CAF Women Player of the Year netted a hat-trick in Zambia’s 4-2 win on Wednesday. The return leg will be played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday at 15h00 with the winner over two legs qualifying for the WAFCON. Tickets for the match are already on sale across Shoprite outlets via Computicket with the cheapest going at K50 (North, South & East), K150 (West) and VIP (K250).
By FAZ Media The Zambia U-17 Men’s National Team has departed Lusaka for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for a pre-tournament international camp ahead of their participation in the World Cup slated for Qatar. The Dennis Makinka-tutored side left the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at exactly 21:30 hours and is expected to set base in Dubai. While in Dubai, the Junior Chipolopolo will play some warm-up matches before the tournament kicks off on November 3, 2025. While in Dubai, Zambia will play New Caledonia and Mexico as part of the team’s pre-tournament camp in Dubai. This is the first time that the Zambia Under-17 Men’s National team has made it to the World Cup and will be looking to impress. The Junior Chipolopolo are in Group H with Brazil, Honduras, and Indonesia. Zambia will open its account on November 4 against Indonesia before facing Honduras three days later and wrapping up with Brazil on November 10. This is the 26-member squad that has travelled to Dubai. Coach Makinka is, however, expected to name his final 21-member squad after the Dubai camp. Goalkeepers Rogers Simumba (Shamuel Football Academy), Wiseman Nkumbu Nyirenda (BillyPro Football Academy), and Christo Chitambala (Red Arrows Football Club). Defenders Jonathan Moomba Kalimina, Saviour Chola Mwanse (both Kafue Celtics Football), Andrew Mwape (Metro Stars Football Academy), James Nene Sibene (Sporting Lusaka), Levyson Banda (Superade Academy) and Pablo Ndalama (Dream Factory Academy) Midfielders Mike Bwalya Mutale (Makeni All Stars), Lucas Daka (Read Football Academy, UK), Nelson Chilemu, Nthasilwe Malupande (both Kafue Celtics Football), Steven Lungu (Morkved Football Academy), Felix Phiri (Alashkert Football Club, Armenia), Mapalo Simute (Mkushi Rising Stars), Gabriel Phiri (NAPSA FC), Bongani Ndhlovu (Metro Stars FC), Lukonde Mwale (SV Huesca FC, Spain), Robert Banda (Athletico Lusaka), Nkotami Chimwemwe (Lumwana Radiants), and Mulenga Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers). Strikers Abel Salim Nyirongo (Athletico Lusaka), Billy Daka (Nkwazi FC), Daniel Silubonde (Morkved FC) and Caleb Musonda (Kafue Celtic FC).
By FAZ Media Copper Queens Coach Nora Hauptle says the team is excited to play at home and confirm their ticket to the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Addressing a pre-match press conference at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Hauptle says the team has a lot of work to do on set pieces. She says despite leading 4-2 in the first leg, they will have to remain focused to finish off the job at home on Sunday. “We know that in Zambia it is another job, we need to focus on our performance, we are happy to be home and excited and play tomorrow,” Hauptle says. “I think it is all in our hands, we decide if the game is going like this or like that, basically we are in each position better than our opposition.” She says,” Consistency in performance is a lot about discipline and getting the simple things right over 90 minutes and be very critical, we always want to improve.” “An example where we need to improve is defence and set pieces and possession. This is the easy thing to do but we need to do it more often.” She says that she was looking forward to a full stadium at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to ensure the team felt the push. “I am already feeling goose bumps, to play before a full stadium is our wish,” she says. “We want to play with very offensive full backs and we sometimes convert wingers in this position, we can also convert holding midfielders sometimes on this position,” she says. The Copper Queens host the Brave Gladiators of Namibia in the second leg of the Morocco 2026 WAFCON with Zambia leading 4-2 from the first leg. The winner over two legs will qualify to the WAFCON which will be played in March next year. The game kicks off at 15h00 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola with tickets on sale across all Shoprite outlets. Tickets are pegged at K50 (North, South & East), K150 (West) and K250 (VIP). Top four teams at the WAFCON will automatically qualify to the FIFA Women World Cup to be hosted by Brazil in 2027.
By FAZ Media The Brave Gladiators of Namibia had a feel of the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola ahead of tomorrow’s second leg, final round Morocco 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Copper Queens. Namibia trail 4-2 from the first leg and are aiming to reverse the result on Sunday. The winner over two legs will qualify to the WAFCON which will be played in March/April next year and will be a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Tickets for tomorrow’s clash are selling across Shoprite outlets via Computicket and are pegged at K50 (North, South and East), K150 (West) and K250 (VIP). Kickoff is at 15h00.