Zambia defender Margaret Belemu says the Copper Queens will approach their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 meeting with Nigeria without fear, despite suffering a heavy defeat to the Super Falcons when the sides last met.
The two teams have been drawn together once again for the continental tournament, with Zambia placed in a challenging Group B alongside Nigeria, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
The group presents a demanding route to the knockout stages, leaving little room for mistakes as the competition gets under way.
Zambia’s most recent encounter with Nigeria came in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Falcons secured a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
However, Belemu believes that result will have no bearing on the upcoming contest, insisting her side is preparing to face a different challenge this time around.
“We know it’s a very difficult group, but we’re battle-ready. Playing against Nigeria is always a big challenge, and we’re looking forward to it,” Belemu said.
The defender acknowledged the quality of the opposition but expressed confidence that Zambia’s preparations would put the team in a strong position ahead of the tournament.
“We lost to Nigeria the last time we played them, but this will be a different challenge. We’re preparing well and believe we’ll be ready when the tournament begins.”
Her comments reflect Zambia’s determination to put the disappointment of their previous meeting with Nigeria behind them as they prepare for another opportunity to test themselves against one of Africa’s most successful women’s national teams.
Group B is expected to be one of the most competitive sections at the tournament.
Alongside nine-time continental powerhouses Nigeria, Zambia will also face Egypt, while Malawi will make their first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals after securing qualification.
With only limited opportunities to drop points, every match is likely to carry significant importance in the battle for progression from the group.
For Zambia, the tournament represents another chance to build on the progress they have made in recent editions of the competition.
The Copper Queens enjoyed one of their best campaigns at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third to claim the bronze medal.
They were unable to match that achievement at the following tournament after their quarter-final defeat by Nigeria ended their hopes of another podium finish.
Now, with another meeting against the Super Falcons on the horizon, Belemu believes the past should not define Zambia’s prospects.
Instead, she says the squad is concentrating on its preparations and entering the tournament with confidence despite the difficulty of the group.
Her belief that Zambia are “battle-ready” underlines the team’s determination to compete strongly against all three opponents as they seek a place in the knockout stages.
While Nigeria’s previous victory remains the most recent chapter in the rivalry between the two sides, Zambia see the upcoming encounter as a fresh test rather than a continuation of the past, with Belemu confident the Copper Queens will be ready when the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins.
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