Haalubono Names 26-Player Copper Queens Squad for WAFCON, Sets Sights on Historic Title

Copper Queens assistant coach Charles Haalubono has announced Zambia’s 26-member provisional squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the team set to depart for Algeria on Tuesday for a week-long training camp.

Haalubono revealed the squad on behalf of head coach Nora Häuptle, who is expected to join the team in Algeria ahead of the continental tournament.

Speaking during a media briefing at Football House, Haalubono said the pre-tournament camp will help the team fine-tune preparations before heading to Morocco for the competition.

As part of the build-up, Zambia will play two international friendly matches against Algeria’s Fennecs on July 19 and 21. Players based abroad whose club commitments are still ongoing will travel directly to Algeria to join the rest of the squad.

Haalubono called on Zambians to rally behind the Copper Queens as they chase a first-ever WAFCON title. He also praised Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for its continued sponsorship and support of the national women’s team.

Zambia has been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi. The Copper Queens will begin their campaign against Egypt on July 28 before facing Nigeria on August 1. They will wrap up the group stage against Malawi’s Scorchers on August 5.

The top four teams at the tournament will secure qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Zambia’s Provisional WAFCON Squad

Goalkeepers:
Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls).

Defenders:
Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe (Green Buffaloes), Rachael Nachula (Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club, Saudi Arabia), Saliya Mwanza (Elite Ladies), Lushomo Mweemba (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey), Martha Tembo (Hakkarigucu Spor, Turkey).

Midfielders:
Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Querétaro, Mexico), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames, Saudi Arabia), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo (Ra’anana Women’s FC, Israel), Ireen Lungu (Sichuan, China).

Forwards:
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, USA), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City FC, USA), Mercy Chipasula (Zesco Ndola Girls), Eneless Phiri (Zesco Ndola Girls), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC, USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan, China), Kabange Mupopo (Liaoning Shenbel Hefeng, China), Ochumba Oseke Lubanji (Quanzhou Naan, China).

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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