BANDA RAMPANT AS ZAMBIA THRASH EGYPT 6-0 IN WAFCON 2026
Barbra Banda led from the front as Zambia began their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in emphatic fashion, routing Egypt 6-0 in their Group C opener at the Olympic Stadium.
The Copper Queens captain was the star of the show, scoring four goals and assisting another in a performance that put Zambia straight to the top of Group C.
Zambia started brightly and Banda went close as early as the 8th minute, but Egypt’s goalkeeper rushed out to block. Egypt’s first chance came through Nadin Ghazy, but her long-range effort was easily collected by Natasha Nali.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute. After Racheal Kundananji’s header flashed wide, Zambia were awarded a penalty when Banda was fouled in the box. Mary Mwakapila Nachula stepped up to convert and give Zambia a 1-0 lead.
Zambia turned the screw after halftime. Banda doubled the advantage in the 58th minute from the penalty spot after a VAR check for handball against Prisca Chilufya’s cross. She struck again minutes later, finishing a teasing Chilufya delivery to make it 3-0.
The Copper Queens kept pressing. Banda completed her hat-trick in the 86th minute with a composed volley. She then switched to provider, teeing up substitute Eneless Phiri for the fifth. Banda capped her night in stoppage time with a fourth goal to move top of the tournament scoring charts.
The result hands Zambia a perfect start. They now turn to a huge Group C clash against defending champions Nigeria on Saturday. Egypt will aim to bounce back against Malawi on the same day.