WAFCON: Zambia coach fumes as controversial CAF rule sees Super Falcons, Malawi qualify
Zambia’s Women’s National Team Exits Africa Cup of Nations Following Controversial Tie-Break Rule
Head coach Nora Häuptle of Zambia’s women national football team expressed frustration over a tie-break rule implemented by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. This regulation contributed to the elimination of the Copper Queens, who secured a 2-1 victory against Malawi on Wednesday.
Despite finishing the group stage with six points, Zambia found themselves in a three-way tie alongside Nigeria and Malawi. According to CAF’s tie-break criteria, the outcomes of matches played among the tied teams determined progression. Nigeria and Malawi advanced after scoring four and three goals, respectively, in their encounters, while Zambia netted two.
“We scored the most goals in this group, and we conceded the least goals,” Häuptle remarked, as reported by Lusaka Times. “Sometimes I’m not sure if we do the right things with this kind of regulation because it feels completely weird that we are out.”
The decision has raised questions about the fairness and clarity of the competition’s rules.
