'Every country wants to beat Nigeria' - Super Falcons hunt 11th Wafcon title

The stage is set for a thrilling 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, and Zambia's national women's football team, the Copper Queens, finds itself in a challenging yet exciting Group C alongside continental powerhouse Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt. The tournament, which kicked off on July 26th and runs until August 16th, sees the Super Falcons of Nigeria aiming to defend their crown and secure an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title. However, with the rising competitiveness in African women's football, every nation, including Zambia, harbours ambitions of upsetting the established order. For the Copper Queens, this WAFCON presents a significant opportunity to build on their recent successes and further solidify their position as one of Africa's top teams. The team has been on an upward trajectory, having made their debut in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and achieving a third-place finish at the 2022 WAFCON. Their opening match against Egypt on July 28th saw a dominant performance, with Zambia securing a resounding 6-0 victory. Captain Barbra Banda was the star of the show, netting four goals and providing an assist, showcasing the attacking prowess that makes the Copper Queens a formidable opponent. The Nigerian Super Falcons, traditionally the dominant force in African women's football, enter the tournament with arguably better preparation than in previous editions. Coach Madugu and his staff have had the benefit of multiple friendly matches to fine-tune their squad, a luxury not always afforded to the team. This extensive preparation underscores Nigeria's determination to maintain its supremacy, recognizing that the gap between them and other African nations is narrowing. Their opening match in Group C, however, saw a surprising 3-2 defeat to Malawi, indicating the competitive nature of this year's tournament. The encounter between Zambia and Nigeria, scheduled for August 1st, is anticipated to be a pivotal match in Group C. Both teams possess indi