COSAFA Women’s Championship: Zambia preparing for WAFCON – Haalubono

Zambia caretaker coach Charles Haalubono has stressed the importance of the COSAFA Women’s Championship to their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) preparations.

The man, who is standing in for his ill boss Nora Häuptle, spoke about the importance of the regional women’s football championship after beating Botswana 3-0 in a Group B opener in South Africa on Thursday.

Big performance. Big vibes. 😎⚽

Player of the Match goes to Eneless Phiri 🇿🇲#CWC2025 #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodbetsCWC2025 pic.twitter.com/hnLKdvCmgM

— COSAFA (@COSAFAMEDIA) February 19, 2026

Midfielders Regina Chanda, Susan Banda and forward Kabanghe Mupopo were on target to hand the Copper Queens a winning start to Group B at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

How Zambia strategized for COSAFA

“We have to keep on pushing the girls because this COSAFA is helping jus prepare the team for the WAFCON finals, so it is important to maintain the momentum so that we keep winning.”

Haalubono said the coaching panel wants to use the regional championship to elevate performance and create a wide selection pool of players.

Zambia’s plan for WAFCON using COSAFA

“We are hoping to achieve one thing: making sure we improve our level of play and also God willing, we defend the cup, but we are using this as preparation for WAFCON which is a World Cup qualifier as well,” he said.

The games for the group resume on Tuesday, February 24 when Zimbabwe face Botswana at Seshego Stadium in North-West Provide.

The other game will see Eswatini taking on Zambia at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The top teams in each pool, along with the best runner-up, will advance to the semi-finals.

Apart from the COSAFA Women’s Championship holders, Malawi and South Africa are also using the tournament to fine-tune for WAFCON scheduled for Morocco in March 2026.02.19.

Saturday, February 21

Malawi vs Lesotho – Group A – 12h00, Seshego Stadium

South Africa vs Angola – Group A – 15h00, Seshego Stadium