The Copper Queens are looking to make amends for their disappointing 2026 WAFCON campaign when they face Uganda in the first leg of the round two of 2028 Olympic qualifier in Kampala on October 8, 2026
Interim Head Coach Charles Haalubono says the team has responded well to training and is showing improvement ahead of their crucial away fixture aginst the Crested Cranes.
Haalubono told FAZ Media after Thursday’s training session at the University of Lusaka football field that the players initially struggled to find their rhythm but have improved after five days of training. The Green Buffaloes Women FC trainer said the team was now showing better reactions and sharpness on the ball.
“So far, the response has been very good. They all looking good now. The start was not all that good. They looked clumsy but after five days of training we saw a bit of change. Now starting this week, they are sharp; their reactions are up to that level,” Haalubono said.
Haalubono said the team had picked valuable lessons from the WAFCON, particularly in its ability to keep possession and move the ball, but needed to reduce the number of goals conceded.
“This is a very important fixture for us; we keep reminding each about our performance at WAFCON so we have got a big duty ahead of us to give the nation what it deserves because we failed to qualify to the world. So we have another chance of amending our mistakes so we are supposed to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
The coach said the technical bench had placed particular emphasis on strengthening the defence while also improving the team’s movement when in possession, areas he believes will be important against Uganda.
He said Zambia’s experience from the last two Olympic Games would be useful but insisted that the focus was on the current preparations rather than past success. On Uganda, Haalubono said the hosts are an athletic side that relies on direct football and long balls, which Zambia must be prepared to counter.
“We are here to work and to deliver; so it’s not something that we should even try to shun away. On my part I’m ready to work and deliver,”
Haalubono thanked FAZ for beefing up his technical bench with experienced coaches Florence Mwila and William Zulu as assistants, who he said understand women’s football in Zambia.
