Zambia’s Copper Queens have moved into the final phase of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the team’s technical staff expressing confidence in the progress made ahead of the continental tournament.
Assistant coach Charles Haalubono said the squad has benefited from an extended preparation period and believes the players are now ready to make the final improvements before the competition begins.
The Copper Queens departed from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Tuesday for a training camp in Algeria, which will form part of their final preparations before heading into the tournament.
Haalubono praised the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for providing the technical team with enough time to work with the players and build the squad ahead of the major competition.
“I want to thank FAZ for giving us the opportunity to prepare the team adequately. We have been preparing for quite some time, and everything has gone very well.”
The assistant coach said the opportunity to train in Algeria would be valuable as Zambia continue to measure their readiness before the start of WAFCON.
He explained that the North African side’s style of play would provide useful preparation because it is similar to that of Egypt, one of Zambia’s opponents in the group stage of the tournament.
The Copper Queens are expected to use the camp to continue improving their tactical approach while making the final adjustments needed before they begin their pursuit of continental success.
Haalubono also welcomed assurances from the Zambian government that player payments would be handled, saying the squad can now concentrate fully on the challenge ahead.
The coach, who also guides Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club, said the team’s attention has shifted entirely towards competing at WAFCON after completing a productive period of training.
He added that the players have responded positively to the programme designed by the coaching staff and that the remaining work would focus on refining specific areas of their performance.
“The girls have worked extremely hard over the past two weeks. Tactically, they have been very good, and now it’s just a matter of polishing up.”
Zambia’s preparations have included intensive work aimed at ensuring the squad is physically and tactically prepared for the demands of Africa’s leading women’s football tournament.
With the final training camp in Algeria now underway, the Copper Queens will look to use the remaining time before the tournament to strengthen their organisation and improve their performance ahead of their opening match.
The team’s technical bench believes the extended preparation period has placed the players in a strong position as they prepare to compete against the continent’s best women’s football nations.
The Copper Queens will stay in Algeria for their final stage of preparations before travelling to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will begin their campaign with ambitions of challenging for continental honours.
For Zambia, the focus is now on completing the final details of their preparations and ensuring the squad arrives at the tournament ready for the challenge ahead.
