<a href="https://absafricatv9491.live-website.com/zambia-pushes-pan-african-minerals-exchange/” title=”Zambia pushes pan-African minerals exchange”>Zambia vs Egypt: The Copper Queens’ experience versus the Cleopatras’ ambition
Following a painful decade long absence from continental football, the Egyptians are back in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a young and confident squad.
However, their opening match presents a formidable challenge – facing Barbra Banda’s Zambia, a strong title contender with plenty of experience in international competitions.
This Group C clash, featuring two sides with very different trajectories, is shaping up to be a key fixture in the group’s opening round. On one side are Zambia’s Copper Queens, now accustomed to competing at the very top of African Football and on the world stage – in back to back Summer Olympic Games and the last FIFA Women’s World Cup three years ago.
On the other, Egypt are back in the spotlight after a 10-year absence. Whilst the Zambians go into the match as favourites, both managers agree on one point – discipline and concentration will be key in an opening match where every detail will count.
Zambia are banking on flexibility and composure
True to her principles, Nora Häuptle, Zambia’s Swiss head coach, displayed great composure at the pre-match press conference. With a full squad and players in top form, she emphasises the quality of the performance above all else rather than the points on offer.
She says, “We are convinced that when we put in a good performance, the result follows automatically. Over the last few months, we have developed new tactical set-pieces to increase our flexibility. We know exactly how to approach this fixture with a plan A, B or C.”
Based on the experience of their captain and poster girl Banda, Zambia intend to rely on their wealth of experience while being wary of the trap of overconfidence.
“Our attention is 100% focused on this opening match,” insists Banda. The staff has done their preparation work. It is now up to us to take our responsibilities from kick-off.”
The North Africans are approaching this tie with the aura of a rejuvenated squad. Aware of the experience gap against the Zambians, coach Mohamed Kamal prefers to highlight the potential and enthusiasm of his players:
“Zambia have great international experience, with powerful strikers and a group that has been playing together for a long time. But our team is young, lively and full of technical qualities. The task will be difficult but not impossible.”
For goalkeeper Maha El-Demerdash, the objective is clear – to measure the progress made by Egyptian Women’s Football since their last appearance in 2016 and to prove that this set of players have reached a respectable level.
“We have worked a lot in recent years. The atmosphere in the team is excellent. We are united and we believe in our qualities. We want to show a completely different image and go as far as possible,” El-Demerdash points out.
Egypt’s previous clashes against Southern African teams date back to the 2016 edition, when they registered a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe and lost 0-5 to South Africa in their second and third group matches.
