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ZAMBIA coach Nora Hauptle says the Copper Queens have a plan to beat defending champions Nigeria when the two sides meet today in a Group C match at the Women Africa Cup of Nations.

Both teams are chasing a win for different reasons. Zambia opened with a victory and can seal a quarterfinal spot with a game to spare. Nigeria lost its opener to Malawi and needs a result to stay alive.

“My team, Zambia, never plays for a draw,” Hauptle said at a news conference Friday. “It is not in our nature. We always chase a win.”

Nigeria coach Justin Madugu said his team is under pressure.

“We know what is at stake. It is an outright win or nothing for us, so we are not taking it for granted by any means,” Madugu said.

This will be the fifth meeting between Zambia and Nigeria. Nigeria has won three of the last four encounters.

In the other Group C match Saturday, Egypt will face Malawi.

(Mwebantu, Saturday, 1st August, 2026)