Zambia women’s captain Barbra Banda has called on supporters to fill the stadium during the upcoming Four Nations Tournament, describing it as the final opportunity for fans to watch the Copper Queens at home before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Banda made the appeal after Wednesday afternoon training in Ndola, where the squad continued its preparations for the tournament, which is being used as a key part of their build-up to the continental competition in Morocco.
The Copper Queens skipper stressed that the team is expecting a highly competitive set of matches, pointing out that there will be no easy fixtures during the tournament. She highlighted Kenya as one of the strong opponents, noting that they too are preparing for WAFCON.
“Honestly, we are expecting good games during this Four Nations tournament because this time around there are no push over teams in the game. Looking at Kenya they are also going to the WAFCON so we expect tough games,” she says.
Banda emphasised that Zambia’s focus is on strong performances throughout the competition, with the aim of achieving positive results as they fine-tune preparations for WAFCON.
“Our aim is to go hard and be determined throughout the tournament and get the best results. We all know that our fans expect a lot, especially here in the city of Ndola. So, fans, we ask you to come in numbers to this beautiful stadium, for you to come and witness.
This will be our last preparations when we are going to the WAFCON. So come all, come in numbers and witness the good game that we are going to give you.”
The striker, who currently plays for Orlando Pride, has been in impressive form, scoring 11 goals in 10 games. She attributed her performances to hard work and personal determination, adding that she remains focused on continued improvement.
“It is just the hard work and, you know, the aim that I have put for myself, where I want to see myself in the next generation. So, it is just the hard work and determination at the end of the day,” she says.
Looking ahead to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Banda said Zambia’s primary target is to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams at WAFCON will earn places at the global tournament, a goal the Copper Queens are determined to achieve.
“We know it is going to be hard. This is why we are trying everything possible to have good preparations because we know how it feels to go to the World Cup. And that is our aim, going to the WAFCON,” she says.
“For the first stages, we need to do well so that we find ourselves to play the final stage that we can qualify to the World Cup, which we are aiming as a team. And we still want to go back to the World Cup. We know it’s the highest level and we still want to learn more from them.”
The Four Nations Tournament will see Zambia face Kenya on Saturday at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium at 15:00, while Zimbabwe take on Lesotho in the earlier fixture. The winners of both matches will meet in the final on Tuesday at 18:00, while the losing sides will contest the third-place play-off at 15:00.
Zambia and Kenya are using the competition as preparation for WAFCON, while Zimbabwe and Lesotho are also sharpening up for upcoming assignments. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Morocco from 25 July to 16 August, with Zambia drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi.
