WAFCON: Nora Häuptle reveals Zambia target as they start preps

Zambia women’s national team coach Nora Häuptle what they want to achive after starting preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which kicks off on March 17 in Morocco.

Häuptle has already summoned 38 players including foreign based players whose leagues are on recess for a two-week local camp. Zambia have been placed in Group C alongside champions Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt.

Zambia objective to qualify for the World Cup

“I always demand that when we want to compete and beat Nigeria, we also need to play games at the world level. And it means we need to face opponents in the top 35 of the world,” said Häuptle as quoted by Bola News.

“However, It’s always a question: can we fund this? How are the finances? So, I was reaching out to FIFA to bring us into the FIFA series in April, we got accepted and can go to Brazil and play Brazil, Canada, high-level games.

So, it’s important we have the objective at the WAFCON to qualify for the World Cup when we reach the semi-final that we have straight after.”

She added: “In February, I expect at least three [friendly] games, and one of it against a top 30 nation, so that we can also prepare the strategies that we want to play at WAFCON.

“So, in the planning, I suggested a tournament in Dubai, where the opponents would be ready, but we need to get the approval of the ministry, of course, to get the funding for it.”

Top four teams at the WAFCON will automatically qualify for the Brazil 2027 FIFA World Cup. Zambia made its historic debut at the FIFA Women World Cup in 2022 in Australia/New Zealand.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS); Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Mwila Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses), Loveness Tonge (Green Eagles).

(DEFENDERS); Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Thelma Chellah, Justina Zulu (both Zanaco Ladies), Margaret Gondwe, Agness Musesa, Memory Nthala, Rachael Nachula, Esther Siamfuko (all Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC-China), Saliya Mwanza, Matildah Mukunda (both Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (Zesco Ndola Girls).

(MIDFIELDERS); Susan Banda (CekmekoyBilgidogga Spor-Turkey), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Avell Chitundu, Esther Muchinga (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Natasha Nanyangwe, Evarine Katongo (both Green Buffaloes), Ireen Lungu (Sichuan Jiangsu-China), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Natasha Witika (Konkola Blades).

(STRIKERS); Ngosa Chabwe (Indeni Roses), Regina Chanda (Zanaco Ladies), Agness Phiri, Maweta Chilenga (both Green Buffaloes), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Police), Mary Mambwe (Red Arrows), Penelope Mulubwa, Eneless Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Kabanghe Mupopo (Wuhan FC-China), Ruth Muwowo (Amazing Grace), Samiah Phiri (Thonon Evian Grand Geneve-France).