“We Haven’t Been Tested Enough” — Noah Chivuta Calls for Tactical Focus as Copper Queens Face DR Congo

Former Zambia midfielder Noah Chivuta has weighed in on the Copper Queens’ performances at the ongoing 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), calling for tactical improvements ahead of the team’s final Group A match against DR Congo.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the 2012 AFCON winner acknowledged Zambia’s encouraging start to the tournament but questioned whether the team has been truly tested by their group-stage opponents so far.

“It has been okay so far,” Chivuta said. “But honestly, the teams we’ve played are not tactically very sound. For example, the way we scored the winning goal, there were four Zambian players left unmarked at the far post. That shows our opponents are not on the same tactical level.”

Zambia have beaten Senegal 3-2 and drew with hosts Morocco, while DR Congo has been eliminated from the competition and is playing for pride.

Chivuta warned that while the game may appear manageable on paper, it offers an important opportunity to refine the team’s tactical structure.

“It looks a bit easier for now, but going forward we haven’t been tested enough. We’re mostly capitalizing on basic errors, not outplaying teams tactically. We haven’t seen if the players fully understand what the coach wants to implement. There’s only been a minor improvement from what we saw under Coach Bruce Mwape to now.”

Chivuta stressed that the DR Congo match should be used to rotate the squad and address key tactical gaps, particularly in midfield and defensive coordination. He observed that the team currently lacks compactness and tactical cohesion when transitioning between defense and attack.

“There’s a big gap between our midfield and attack. Our forwards are quick and tend to push high, but the rest of the team is left behind. This disconnection leaves us vulnerable when we lose possession. The whole team needs to move as a unit, attack together and defend together. Right now, it’s not happening.”

The former midfielder also pointed out the lack of a tempo setter in Zambia’s midfield, someone who can control the rhythm of the game and slow things down when necessary.

“You can’t go at 90% the entire match. Sometimes, you need to slow down, pass the ball, and look for openings. We lack that player who can manage the game’s tempo.”

Chivuta further emphasized the need to protect the goalkeeper, highlighting that while mistakes in goal have drawn criticism, the real issue is structural, a failure by the midfield and defense to absorb pressure and reduce goal-scoring opportunities for the opposition.

“We must protect the goalkeeper as much as possible. It’s not just about her making saves; we have to make sure the chances created by opponents are minimized. That starts with good positioning, control in midfield, and a compact defensive line.”

As Zambia prepares to face DR Congo in their final group match, Chivuta believes the game is more than a formality, it’s a crucial test of the team’s tactical maturity before entering the knockout stages, where margins are slim and mistakes can end championship dreams.

“This is the time to fix our tactical issues. Once we enter the knockouts, there’s no room for error.”

The Copper Queens will play DR Congo tonight at 21:00 at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, looking to finish the group stage strongly and head into the quarterfinals full of confidence, and tactical clarity.