{"id":73963,"date":"2025-06-22T21:32:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T21:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/mweemba-rallies-copper-queens-as-they-set-off-for-wafcon-the-zambian-observer"},"modified":"2025-06-22T21:32:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T21:32:00","slug":"mweemba-rallies-copper-queens-as-they-set-off-for-wafcon-the-zambian-observer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/mweemba-rallies-copper-queens-as-they-set-off-for-wafcon-the-zambian-observer","title":{"rendered":"MWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON – The Zambian Observer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. <\/strong><\/span>MWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON<\/p>\n

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the Copper Queens to approach the upcoming Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a united mindset, deep patriotism and a fierce determination to win.<\/p>\n

Speaking during the official send-off ceremony held at Tecla Hotel, Mweemba underscored the gravity of the task ahead and the nation\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are going to the (Women\u2019s) African Cup of Nations not just to be participants but to win, and everything centers on preparation, the mindset and the mental strength. All those things are very important,\u201d Mweemba said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst things first, I expect all of us here to go to Morocco with one thing in mind: patriotism to the country and to the people of Zambia. For this trip to even happen, the government had to go out of the way to support us. I think it would be unfair to take anything for granted and not appreciate what the government has done.\u201d<\/p>\n

The FAZ boss said success can only come through collective effort and discipline at all levels, rom the technical bench to the pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be unity, there must be no confusion in camp whatsoever, no negative energy. Everybody has to be in a positive mind, then we shall be champions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing the temptation of external distractions, Mweemba issued a stern warning against unauthorised interactions with football agents during camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me be clear, no agents in camp. If you are an agent, watch the players on the field. No secret room visits, no backdoor negotiations. Our players must focus on winning the African Cup of Nations. We are not going there as tourists or to start showcasing talents for the purpose of selling players. A good player will be seen on the pitch. Period.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mweemba also emphasized the need for selflessness on the pitch, encouraging players to support each other and aim for team success over personal glory.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Barbra Banda has scored, or Racheal Kundananji has scored, or Esther Siamfuko, the team has scored. It\u2019s not about personal glory, it\u2019s about Zambia. If I am not in a position to score, I pass the ball. The team scores,\u201d Mweemba said.<\/p>\n

He passionately reminded the team of the emotional cost of wasted opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be very painful to go into retirement with no silverware, knowing you had the best opportunity to win for your country. If this team plays as one unit, you will see the people of Zambia at the airport when you return with the trophy. We want that moment again,\u201d said Mweemba referencing the 2012 Chipolopolo AFCON triumph.<\/p>\n

The Copper Queens will commence their WAFCON Group A campaign against hosts Morocco on Saturday, 5 July at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat.<\/p>\n

Zambia\u2019s penultimate Group A match will be against Senegal on 9 July at the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, and will wrap-up their Group A engagement at the same stadium with a clash against DR Congo on 12 July.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zambia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. MWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the Copper Queens to approach the upcoming Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a united mindset, deep patriotism and a fierce determination to win. Speaking during the official send-off ceremony held […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":73962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,8,12,248],"tags":[234,235,233],"class_list":["post-73963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-homepage-english","category-policy","category-to-homepage","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-zambia","tag-zambia"],"yoast_head":"\nMWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON - The Zambian Observer - Zambia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/mweemba-rallies-copper-queens-as-they-set-off-for-wafcon-the-zambian-observer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON - The Zambian Observer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Zambia. MWEEMBA RALLIES COPPER QUEENS AS THEY SET OFF FOR WAFCON Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has urged the Copper Queens to approach the upcoming Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a united mindset, deep patriotism and a fierce determination to win. 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