Zambia coach Charles Haalubono urges players to stay focused ahead of COSAFA semi-final
27th February 2026
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Zambia women’s national football team coach Charles Haalubono has called on his players to remain focused on the task at hand as they prepare for what he anticipates will be a tough COSAFA Women’s Championship semi-final clash against Namibia.
The defending champions opened their campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Botswana, followed by a goalless draw against Zimbabwe, before edging Eswatini 2-1 in their final group match.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Haalubono emphasised the importance of the encounter as Zambia look to keep their title defence alive.
“We expect a tough match from Namibia, but our aim is to play well and, God willing, win the match. It’s an important clash and the players understand what is at stake. They have to approach it with the seriousness it deserves. The key is to keep our title defence hopes alive,” said Haalubono.
The coach acknowledged that arriving as defending champions comes with added pressure, especially with the noticeable improvement in the standard of football across the COSAFA region. He urged his players to treat every fixture with the respect it warrants.
“Our performances have been generally good - so far, so good. We are happy, and the combinations are coming together, but we still need some fine-tuning. The competition is tighter now, and every team is fighting to become champions. It’s a tough journey,” he added.
Haalubono also expressed confidence in the squad he assembled to defend the title, praising their quality and mentality.
“I have highly talented players who are confident on the ball. From the beginning, they have shown great character,” he expressed.
