Barba Banda scored four goals as Zambia opened their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a dominating 6-0 win over Egypt at the Stade Olympique de Rabat on Tuesday. 

Racheal Nachula opened the scoring for Zambia from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but the Copper Queens couldn’t add another one until the 60th minute when Banda scored again from a penalty.

Banda made it 3-0 three minutes later from an assist by Prisca Chiluba before grabbing her hat-trick in the 87th minute. Eneless Phiri scored Zambia’s fifth goal in the second minute of the eight minutes added time. 

Banda sealed the impressive performance in the sixth minute of added time, slotting in an assist by Racheal Kundanaji to give Zambia the important three points in the opening Group C match. 

Meanwhile, debutants Malawi stunned defending champions Nigeria, beating the Super Falcons 3-2 in the second Group C match at the Stade El Barid. 

The Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, scored the three goals that secured Malawi a historic victory. Temwa got the brace in the match. 

Meanwhile, Rasheedat Ajibade and Unchenna Kanu scored the consolation goals for Nigeria.