“We’re United and Ready” – Barbra Banda Ahead of WAFCON Clash with Morocco

Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda says the team’s experience, unity and focus will be key as Zambia prepares to take on tournament hosts Morocco in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 on Saturday.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference at the Olympic Stadium, Banda expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and cohesion.

“I think the team has been together for a long time, and the experience of staying in a team is showing. When we talk about the club, I have to bring that experience from my club (Orlando Pride) and implement it with the national team, which we are working together as a team,” Banda said.

The 2024 CAF African Women’s Player of the Year emphasized that despite the individual accolades within the squad, the focus remains on collective performance.

“Honestly, being an African player of the year, I am not carrying any pressure because that just keeps me moving. It’s encouraging me to work harder. Being the CAF African player of the year takes a lot, but I don’t have to carry that pressure,” Banda said.

“I have played a lot of games, and I know how to handle pressure. A number of players in our team have been together for a long time, some of them as far back as the U17 World Cup in Costa Rica, so I think we have that connection. We know each other better now.”

Zambia’s Group A campaign begins with a clash against Morocco, followed by matches against Senegal and DR Congo.

“It’s so encouraging that we have the record of the highest African transfer player in our team (Racheal Kundananji), but that doesn’t make us comfortable. It’s about the team, we are all united together. We work as a team in whatever we do.”

Looking ahead to the Morocco game, Banda said the team is not dwelling on past meetings but is focused on their strategy for Saturday.

“Like the coach has said, this is a different game. We have come up with something new, and I don’t think we still rely on what we had in the past. We are starting tomorrow at 0–0.”

“We know Morocco is a very good team, but we are going with our different approach, and we are sticking to our principles.”

The Copper Queens open their WAFCON 2024 journey on Saturday, 5 July at 22h00 CAT at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

– FAZ Media