Victory Not Enough as Copper Queens Exit WAFCON

The Copper Queens' hopes of lifting their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title have come to an end after their victory over Malawi proved insufficient to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The Copper Queens' 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign has come to a heartbreaking end despite recording a 2-1 victory over Malawi in their final Group C match.

Zambia made the perfect start as Barbra Banda opened the scoring inside the first minute with her fifth goal of the tournament. Prisca Chilufya doubled the Copper Queens' lead before half-time, giving Zambia a comfortable advantage heading into the break.

Malawi pulled one back in the second half, but Zambia held on to secure all three points. However, the victory was not enough to keep the Copper Queens in the competition, as Malawi progressed to the quarter-finals on goal difference following the conclusion of Group C.

Despite the disappointment, the Copper Queens leave the tournament with a victory and another spirited display, earning praise for their determination and resilience throughout the campaign.