Copper Queens Ready to Renew Rivalry With Senegal in WAFCON Group A Showdown

Zambia’s Copper Queens are primed for a vital encounter against Senegal this evening as they continue their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign. The Group A clash kicks off at 18h00 CAT at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia.

The team wrapped up their final training session on Tuesday at Académie FUS in Rabat, looking sharp and confident as they target their first win of the tournament. Spirits are high following their 2-2 draw against host nation Morocco, a performance that showed both resilience and attacking threat.

Senegal, however, will be no pushovers. They began their tournament with a commanding 4-0 victory over DR Congo and will be seeking revenge for their heartbreaking exit in the 2022 WAFCON quarterfinals, where Zambia triumphed 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time.

That past meeting still lingers in the memory and gives tonight’s encounter added tension and significance. Zambia will also draw confidence from their strong recent form, having gone unbeaten in their last five WAFCON group matches, with two wins and three draws stretching back to 2022.

Southern Africa has proved difficult ground for Senegal at WAFCON. In addition to the penalty shootout loss to Zambia, they also fell 1-0 to South Africa in the 2012 tournament.

Coach Nora Häuptle will make a few late calls ahead of the match as goalkeeper Catherine Musonda and winger Xiomara Mapepa undergo final fitness checks. Defender Martha Tembo, however, returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, bolstering the backline.

The day’s action wraps up with hosts Morocco facing DR Congo at 21h00 CAT at Stade Olympique in Rabat.