The Copper Queens have stepped up preparations for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with two international friendly matches against Algeria.
Zambia will face the North Africans on Sunday before meeting them again on Wednesday, with both matches set for the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida at 19h00.
The team held a training session at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Algiers on Saturday evening, where head coach Nora Häuptle ran the rule on the 19 lassies currently in camp. The session focused on building match fitness and fine-tuning the squad ahead of the the two pre – WAFCON friendly matches.
Midfielder Grace Chanda has become the first of the remaining foreign-based players to report for camp after arriving on Thursday. Captain Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Ireen Lungu, Fridah Mukoma, Prisca Chilufya and Kabange Mupopo are expected to join the squad during FIFA’s mandatory player release period.
Häuptle says the two friendly matches are an important part of Zambia’s preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She says the games will help the team build momentum before the tournament gets underway later this month.
The coach said the friendlies will also help the technical bench reduce the provisional 26-member squad to the final 21 players that will travel to Morocco. She added that the matches will provide an opportunity to find the right balance between experienced players and emerging talent.
The second friendly against Algeria on July 22 will also be important because Häuptle is expected to announce her final WAFCON squad after the match. By then, all the foreign-based players are expected to be available for selection.
Zambia heads into the two matches aiming to sharpen its form and strengthen combinations ahead of another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The Algeria friendlies are expected to give the Copper Queens a final competitive test as they continue their quest for success on the continental stage.
