Zambia head coach Nora Häuptle has credited discipline, resilience and an unwavering focus for the Copper Queens‘ emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt, insisting her players delivered exactly what had been demanded of them before their opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Copper Queens produced one of the standout performances of the tournament so far, with captain Barbra Banda scoring four goals as Zambia cruised to the biggest victory of the competition to date in Rabat.
Experienced defender Racheal Nachula and debutant Eneless Phiri also found the net as Zambia climbed to the top of Group C on goal difference ahead of Malawi, who stunned defending champions Nigeria later on Tuesday.
The commanding result immediately established Zambia among the early contenders for the continental title and provided an ideal start ahead of a crucial clash with Nigeria on Saturday, 1 August.
Speaking after the match, Häuptle explained that her players had embraced a clear message before stepping onto the pitch.
“We demanded ‘akalata’ and also ‘umupampamina’ which is resilience and aggressiveness that we want until the last second.”
The Zambia coach said her side’s mentality had been just as important as their football, revealing that they deliberately shut out external distractions in order to remain fully focused on the task.
“We shifted our focus from social media and other distractions, and today the players showed that mentality by staying focused and scoring even in the final minutes.”
Her comments reflected the way Zambia approached the match from the opening whistle.
The Copper Queens dominated possession and repeatedly stretched the Egyptian defence, with Banda threatening inside the opening eight minutes before being denied by goalkeeper Maha Shehata.
Although Egypt briefly responded through an effort from Nadin Ghazy, Zambia remained firmly in control and eventually earned a penalty after Amira Mohamed fouled Banda inside the area.
Veteran defender Racheal Nachula calmly converted the spot kick in the 25th minute to give Zambia a deserved lead before half-time.
The Copper Queens returned after the interval with even greater intensity.
A VAR review awarded Zambia another penalty after Mohamed handled the ball inside the penalty area, and Banda confidently converted to double the advantage.
Only three minutes later, the reigning African Women’s Footballer of the Year headed home from a precise Prisca Chilufya cross after finding space inside the Egyptian box.
Banda completed her hat-trick after reacting quickest to a loose ball before debutant Eneless Phiri marked her first appearance with an impressive strike from outside the area.
The captain then rounded off the scoring in stoppage time after finishing from a Racheal Kundananji cut-back to complete her remarkable four-goal performance.
Banda finished the evening directly involved in five of Zambia’s six goals, underlining why she remains one of Africa’s most influential footballers.
Despite the comprehensive victory, the captain insisted the team had already turned its attention to the next challenge.
“It feels so good and we are so excited as a team. We bury this one and now we are looking forward to the next game because we are taking each match as it comes.
“The tribute after the first goal was for coach Bruce Mwape, and we remain united as a team while remembering the great work he did for us.”
Zambia prepare to face Nigeria in what is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage after the Super Falcons suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi.
