Zambia captain Barbra Banda produced one of the most memorable individual performances of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as she scored four goals and set up another in a commanding 6-0 victory over Egypt in their Group C opener in Rabat.
The Copper Queens began their campaign in emphatic fashion at the Olympic Stadium, with Banda playing a direct role in five of the six goals to send Zambia to the top of the group after the opening round of fixtures.
The result also became the biggest winning margin of the tournament so far, eclipsing hosts Morocco’s 4-0 victory over Kenya earlier in the competition.
For Zambia, it was an ideal start to a campaign in which they hope to challenge for continental honours. For Egypt, however, the heavy defeat leaves them with significant work to do ahead of their remaining group matches.
The Copper Queens wasted little time in asserting themselves.
Banda nearly opened the scoring after only eight minutes, but Egypt’s goalkeeper raced off her line to deny the striker before she could finish.
Egypt briefly threatened six minutes later when Nadin Ghazy attempted an effort from distance, but goalkeeper Natasha Nali was alert to collect comfortably.
Zambia continued to dominate possession and territory, creating another opportunity in the 22nd minute when Racheal Kundananji’s header drifted narrowly wide with the goalkeeper already beaten.
Their sustained pressure was eventually rewarded after Banda was brought down inside the penalty area.
Veteran forward Racheal Nachula stepped forward to convert the penalty calmly, giving Zambia a deserved 1-0 lead before half-time.
Although the Copper Queens held only a one-goal advantage at the break, they emerged after the restart with even greater intensity.
Margaret Belemu nearly doubled the lead in the 53rd minute after creating space inside the area, but her effort was well saved.
Five minutes later, Zambia were awarded another penalty following a VAR review after Prisca Chilufya’s cross struck the hand of Amira Mohamed.
This time Banda took responsibility from the spot, confidently sending goalkeeper Maha Shehata the wrong way to score her first goal of the evening.
The Zambia captain was far from finished.
Just three minutes later, she capitalised on another delivery from Chilufya to head home Zambia’s third goal, leaving Egypt struggling to contain the African champions’ attacking quality.
Banda completed her hat-trick in the closing stages after Egypt failed to clear a scramble inside the penalty area. The loose ball fell kindly to the forward, who reacted quickest to volley into the net.
She then turned provider, displaying excellent awareness to set up substitute Eneless Phiri, who finished clinically to make it 5-0.
There was still time for Banda to complete a remarkable night, adding her fourth goal in stoppage time with a composed finish that capped an outstanding display.
The 26-year-old Orlando Pride forward demonstrated why she is regarded as one of Africa’s leading footballers, producing a performance that immediately lifted her to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts.
Victory gives Zambia three points and an early lead in Group C, which also features defending champions Nigeria and tournament debutants Malawi.
