Copper Queens of Zambia Head Coach Nora Häuptle believes her team is fully ready to face whoever comes next after the team sealed a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 1-0 victory over DR Congo last weekend.
Forward Rachael Kundananji’s early free kick was enough to secure second place in Group A and extended Zambia’s unbeaten run in WAFCON group matches to seven.
However, it was the team’s disciplined performance, youthful spark and growing tactical maturity that left Häuptle satisfied as she reflected on a successful group campaign.
Read Also: CAF mourns ex-President Buhari
“I think we had a very stable and mature performance today. We adjusted some details in our block and stayed very valla, which means compact,” Hauptle explained. “Out of this structure, we scored early, and I think we could have added more before the break, we never lost control.”
Zambia will face Group B winners Nigeria in the quarter finals on Friday in Casablanca and the Southern African coach is unperturbed about the prospect of the fixture noting that to be champions, the Copper Queens must be ready to face any opposition.
“We are in a comfortable position with five rest days now. It’s a chance to recover, refresh and observe closely. Whoever we face, we will be ready. If you want to reach the final and win this tournament, you need to beat everyone. So we will take whoever comes,” she said.