Namibia’s Brave Gladiators will have to overturn a two-goal deficit in the return leg after suffering a 4–2 loss to Zambia’s Copper Queens in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier played in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The match saw Zambia’s Rachel Kundananji put on a stunning performance, netting a hat-trick that gave the Copper Queens a strong advantage heading into the next fixture. Despite Namibia’s efforts to fight back, defensive errors proved costly, leaving their dream of a second WAFCON qualification hanging in the balance.
The Brave Gladiators will now look to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in the second leg as they aim to secure a spot at the continental showpiece.
