Copper Queens in South Africa for Three-Nations Series Ahead of WAFCON 2025
The Zambia Women’s National Football Team, Copper Queens, have arrived in South Africa ahead of the eagerly anticipated Three-Nations Series as part of their preparations for the 2025 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set for July in Morocco.
The team, led by head coach Nora Häuptle, departed Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 13:35 today aboard South African Airways and landed in Johannesburg at 15:20. The Copper Queens are set to face Botswana and hosts and regional rivals South Africa in a series of high-profile international friendlies scheduled to take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Zambia will open their campaign against Botswana’s Mares on 31 May, followed by a clash with 2022 WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana on 3 June. The tournament kicks off on 28 May with the hosts South Africa taking on Botswana in the opener at 15:00.
Coach Häuptle joined her South African and Botswana counterparts, Desiree Ellis and Alex Malete, for a pre-tournament press conference this afternoon , where the coaches emphasized the importance of the series in fine-tuning their squads ahead of the continental showpiece.
“This tournament gives us a great opportunity to assess our players and team dynamics against strong regional competition. It’s all part of building toward WAFCON 2025,” Häuptle said.
The Copper Queens, who reached the semi-finals of the last edition of WAFCON, are aiming to go even further in Morocco and secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The friendly matches in South Africa will serve as a critical test of the team’s readiness for the upcoming continental competition, scheduled for 5–26 July 2025.
Fixtures:
- 28 May – South Africa vs Botswana (15h00)
- 31 May – Zambia vs Botswana
- 3 June – Zambia vs South Africa
All matches will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
