Sports
Zambia, Algeria Share Spoils in First Friendly
The Copper Queens were held to a 1-1 draw by Algeria in the first of two pre-WAFCON friendly matches played at Mustapha Tchaker Stadium on Sunday.
Β·July 21, 2026
By Chansa Maimbo
Mercy Chipasula broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart to give Zambia the lead, but the hosts struck late from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after goalkeeper Mwila Mufunte was sent off.
Head coach Nora HΓ€uptle said Zambia did not settle quickly, citing technical errors and the heat in the opening 30 minutes before the team took control. She said the match was a good test to assess players before naming the final WAFCON squad and gave international exposure to players ahead of the arrival of overseas-based stars including captain Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji. Chipasula and defender Blessings Maluba said the team must start strongly and be more clinical in the second friendly.
The Copper Queens will return to the same venue on Wednesday for the second and final friendly against Algeria before departing for Morocco on Thursday for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
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