Zambia head coach Nora Hauptle says her team is fired up and ready to challenge nine-time champions Nigeria when both sides meet in Friday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal in Casablanca, Bold Sports reports.
The match will mark the fourth WAFCON meeting between the two nations in the last decade. Nigeria claimed dominant wins in the 2014 and 2018 editions, defeating Zambia 6-0 and 4-0, respectively. However, the Copper Queens stunned the Super Falcons in 2022, securing a 1-0 victory in the third-place playoff to earn their first-ever WAFCON medal.
Speaking at her pre-match press conference, Hauptle said her squad is motivated by the challenge of facing Africa’s most successful women’s team.
“We are excited to enter the knockout stage. It feels like a final already, Zambia against Nigeria—I think for all of us, I hope it’s going to be an entertaining game.”
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While acknowledging Nigeria’s experience and pedigree, Hauptle insisted her team is not intimidated and will approach the match with hunger and belief.
“Of course, we are here to hunt. We respect that Nigeria is a several-time winner of this tournament. I think they are the favourites in this game, but I can assure you that my team is very hungry; we are here to hunt.”
With Zambia seeking a second consecutive semifinal appearance, Hauptle described her squad as a “golden generation” and expressed confidence in their continued growth.
“It’s a golden generation; we are a young squad. Even our top player, one of the top players in the world, Barbra Banda, is just 25 years old, so I think the improvement of this team in the next year will be massive. I see a bright future for my team and I am pretty sure on Friday, in the knockout game, we will show you on the pitch.”
Zambia have conceded four goals in three matches so far at the tournament, raising questions about their defensive structure. But the Swiss tactician says she’s pleased with the team’s progress and believes they are better equipped defensively heading into the quarterfinal.
“Our evolution from the group stage was very good defensively wise. We conceded set pieces, two penalties, and [two] goals out of open play. I think in the third game we kept a clean sheet. We are working on unity in defence—the compactness—because we know that with Nigeria, we don’t have to allow them.”
“So we have to keep the initiative defense wise where we want to conquer the balls and win the balls. I am very proud of my team and how we’ve developed in this area.”
Zambia will be hoping to reach the final four for the second straight tournament when they face the Super Falcons, while Nigeria are aiming to extend their remarkable record of 12 consecutive WAFCON semifinal appearances.
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