Zambia captain Barbra Banda has urged the Copper Queens to take the positives from their disappointing exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team must use the experience as motivation for future competitions.
Zambia finished level on six points with Nigeria and Malawi in Group C but were eliminated on CAF’s three-team tie-break criteria despite recording the best overall goal difference among the three sides. The Copper Queens ended the group stage with two victories and one defeat.
Read Also: ‘It Feels Completely Weird’ — Häuptle Slams CAF Tie-Break Rule After Zambia’s WAFCON Exit | Sports247 Nigeria
The elimination came despite Zambia scoring eight goals across their three group matches, including a 6-0 victory over Egypt and a 2-1 win against Malawi. Their only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Nigeria.
Reflecting on the campaign, Banda admitted that the manner of their elimination was difficult to accept but believes the team can build on its performances.
“We had a good run in the tournament, but unfortunately we were unlucky with the regulations. It’s disappointing, but we have to pick ourselves up and look forward to the next opportunity,” Banda said.
The captain praised her teammates for their efforts throughout the competition, stressing that the disappointment should not overshadow the progress made by the Copper Queens.
Zambia had entered the tournament with ambitions of reaching the latter stages after previously finishing third at the 2022 WAFCON. Banda had also declared before the competition that the team’s objective was to win the title and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, the early elimination means Zambia will now have to wait for another opportunity to compete for continental honours and pursue its next major international target.
Banda believes the experience should strengthen the squad rather than break its spirit, with the captain calling on her teammates to remain united and use the lessons from Morocco to improve.
For the Copper Queens, the disappointment of missing out despite finishing level on points with the eventual quarter-finalists will provide valuable motivation as they begin preparing for their next international challenge.
