Nanyangwe declares Zambia’s ambitions to lift WAFCON title in Morocco

Zambia midfielder Natasha Nanyangwe has discussed the women’s national team, Copper Queens, target of winning 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.

The Copper Queens, who won the bronze medal in the 2022 edition, have been pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and will kick off their campaign against tournament hosts Morocco on July 5.

“Finishing third in the last WAFCON was a great feeling, so our target now is to win the tournament and go back [to Zambia] with gold medals,” said the 25-year-old as quoted by SABC Sports.

“Looking at our group, it’s not an easy group, there are no underdogs in the group so we will take each and every game as it comes because every game is important. And everyone is looking forward to [getting started in] the group.”

Explaining how Copper Queens are prepared for the opening fixture against the Atlas Lionesses, she said: “The mood here in camp is high, the morale is good and everyone is happy to be here in this camp, and everyone is eager for the tournament to start and the first game.

“Looking at this WAFCON, it will be a great tournament and I’m looking forward to playing more minutes, and yes it’s a big tournament so I’m eager to play and help my team get into the next rounds of the tournament.”

Following the opener on July 5 against Morocco at the newly-constructed Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Copper Queens will face Senegal on July 9 and DR Congo on July 12, both at El Bachir Stadium in Mohammédia.