Zambia Women’s national team forward, Rachael Nachula, has warned that the Copper Queens are not intimidated by nine-time champions Nigeria, as both sides gear up for a high-stakes WAFCON 2024 quarterfinal clash on Friday (today).
Speaking exclusively to Brila.net, Nachula exuded belief in her team is ready and doted that their past victory over Nigeria gives them the confidence to dream big again.
“We are not scared of anything. We cannot be scared of Nigeria. All we need is just to work extra hard and be focused and also maintain the instructions that we’ve been given by our coach, and we are going to play the game according to our coach’s plan,” she said confidently.
“Nothing is going to disturb us mentally or physically. We are ready for Nigeria and I’m sure it will be a good game.”
The Copper Queens, who secured a third-place finish at the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, edged Nigeria in the third-place match.
This feat remains fresh in the memory of Nachula and her teammates.
“In the 2022 edition, we beat Nigeria and came out third. That gives us motivation — no matter how big a team is, we can beat them,” she added.
“We are the Copper Queens, and we know what we are capable of doing. We are strong enough, and we can conquer each and every team.”
Zambia will now look to channel that same energy and team spirit in Casablanca, hoping to pull off another upset against the record WAFCON champions and book a place in the semifinals.
“We’re Going to Hunt!” — Zambia Coach Nora Hauptle Sends Message to the Super Falcons of Nigeria
Copper Queens of Zambia head coach, Nora Hauptle also believes that her team is united, confident, and ready to spring a surprise against the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the quaterfinals clash.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Thursday, Hauptle admitted the pedigree of the Nigerian side but she identified that her players are focused on their own game plan and collective strength.
“Basically, for me and Nigeria, they have very good individual players. I think in the tournament, probably they have the best squad of 21 players,” she said.
“But we all know that the whole is more than just the sum of its parts, you understand? This saying, this expression.”
Hauptle praised the spirit within her team, describing the Copper Queens as a unit built on mutual respect, passion, and cohesion.
“What we have, it’s unity. What we have, it’s love for each other. We award each other a goal, an assist. We have this cohesion in our team.”
“We have one thing, this deep hunger. Me as coach, the players, we’re gonna go and hunt.”
Unfazed by the reputation of their Nigerian opponents, Hauptle insisted her side would not be distracted by names or past records.
“We don’t look too much at who is on the opposite. We know about our strengths. We have big confidence, and we will lay everything on the pitch, I can promise.”
