Copper Queens Exit WAFCON Despite Finishing Level on Points

The Copper Queens have suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after being eliminated despite finishing level on six points with both Nigeria and Malawi in Group C.

Zambia's emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt and strong performances throughout the group stage were not enough to secure qualification, with the final standings instead determined by the tournament's tie-break regulations.

Although the Copper Queens conceded just two goals during the group stage, Nigeria and Malawi progressed to the quarter-finals after holding a superior head-to-head goal difference in the three-way tie between the teams.

The outcome has left many supporters frustrated, with Zambia's exit widely viewed as a cruel end to an otherwise impressive campaign. Many will struggle to understand the rationale behind the qualifying system, as Zambia finished with the best overall goal difference in the group but failed to qualify because the result against Egypt was not included in the head-to-head calculations.

Nonetheless, Captain Barbra Banda was one of the tournament's standout performers, while the team produced some of the most entertaining football of the group stage.

Despite the disappointment, the Copper Queens once again demonstrated their ability to compete with Africa's strongest sides. Their performances throughout the tournament reinforced Zambia's growing reputation in women's football and provide a strong platform on which to build ahead of future international competitions.