The Copper Queens Paid A fitting Tribute To Late Coach Bruce Mwape With a 6-0 victory In Wafcon26 Opener
Copper Queens Honour Late Bruce Mwape With Six-Goal WAFCON Victory Over Egypt
The Copper Queens paid a fitting tribute to their late former head coach Bruce Mwape with a sensational 6-0 victory over Egypt to kick off their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in style on Tuesday night. Captain Barbra Banda stole the show with a remarkable four-goal performance as Zambia surged to the top of Group C.
Zambia dominated the contest from the opening whistle, creating chance after chance against an overwhelmed Egyptian side. Banda came close on several occasions before the breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Racheal Nachula calmly converted from the penalty spot after the skipper was brought down inside the area.
The Copper Queens continued to dictate the tempo after the interval and doubled their advantage through Banda, who confidently converted another penalty following a VAR review for handball. The skipper then headed home from Prisca Chilufya’s pinpoint cross just three minutes later to put the match beyond Egypt’s reach.
Banda completed her hat-trick after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box before debutant Eneless Phiri announced herself on the continental stage with a stunning strike from the edge of the area. The Orlando Pride forward wasn’t finished yet, adding her fourth goal in stoppage time after turning home Racheal Kundananji’s inviting cut-back.
The emphatic victory not only gives Zambia a dream start to their WAFCON campaign but also serves as a heartfelt tribute to the late Bruce Mwape, whose contribution to women’s football in Zambia continues to inspire the Copper Queens as they chase continental glory.
