Copper Queens will make Zambia proud at WAFCON vows Barbra Banda

Photo Credit - Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

Zambia women's national team, Copper Queens, captain Barbra Banda has urged fans not to lose faith in the team as they prepare to kick off their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign against hosts Morocco on July 7.

Ahead of the tournament, Banda said she hadn't felt pressure despite the heightened expectations from fans and the responsibility that comes with being a star performer.

“To our fans back home in Zambia, [they] should not look down on us. We are still the Copper Queens, and we will make you proud. What we need is support from you back home. Your support means a lot to us,” said Banda, as quoted by FAZ Media.

Banda, who was crowned CAF African Women's Footballer of the Year, BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award and became the first African player to be named in the FIFPRO Women's World XI in 2024, believes her international experience has equipped her to lead without fear while keeping the team’s goals front and center.

“I would say I am not feeling any pressure because I think at my stage now I have played a lot of games, competitive games at international level, so it's not something I think about as a player, I know how to handle it,” added Banda.

The 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists will open their campaign with a fixture against the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco on July 5 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

The penultimate match sees the Copper Queens take on Senegal on July 9 at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammédia, followed by their final Group A fixture against DR Congo at the same venue on July 12.