Algeria W vs Zambia W

The 84th-minute goal — the first Algeria had scored from open play across the two fixtures — shifted the dynamic decisively. Zambia had been forced to chase the game, and the pressure told when they missed a penalty four minutes later. The missed spot-kick, the second penalty-related frustration for Zambia in the series after Mwila Mufunte's red card and subsequent spot-kick concession in the first friendly, compounded a difficult week for the Copper Queens.

• Algeria's match-winner (84'): The unidentified scorer produced the decisive moment, finishing from what the provider describes as a "Normal Goal." The goal was Algeria's first from open play against Zambia in the two-match series.
• Zambia's defence: Despite the defeat, the Copper Queens' backline held firm for 84 minutes, keeping the game goalless until the late breakthrough. Zambia had also kept Algeria at bay for long periods in the first friendly before a late penalty equaliser.
• Zambia's penalty taker (89'): The un-named player who stepped up and missed the 89th-minute penalty will rue the miss, which denied Zambia a share of the spoils.

Player of the Match: Not available from official sources — the provider payload does not name individual goalscorers or standout performers.

The provider data shows a low-scoring, tightly-contested friendly with only one goal from open play across the 90 minutes. The three yellow cards (two for Zambia, one for Algeria) suggest a competitive edge befitting a pre-tournament warm-up. Zambia's missed penalty in the 89th minute was the clear statistical outlier — converting it would have made the final score 1-1, replicating the result of the first friendly. The 0-0 half-time scoreline across both matches in this two-game series (the first was 0-0 at the break before a 1-1 final) points to cautious, disciplined opening periods from both sides.

Algeria split the two-match series 1-0-1 (one draw, one win), giving them a confidence boost ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on 26 July. Algeria are in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Kenya and Senegal.

For Zambia, the results (1-1 draw on 19 July, 0-1 loss on 22 July) leave them with work to do before the tournament. The Copper Queens depart for Morocco on Thursday 23 July. They are in Group C of WAFCON 2026 alongside Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania.

Captain Barbra Banda and star striker Racheal Kundananji were among the overseas-based players expected to join the squad in time for the tournament, having not featured in the Algeria friendlies (per Zambia Monitor and COSAFA).

A tight, low-scoring second friendly that gave both coaches useful information ahead of WAFCON. Algeria's late breakthrough and Zambia's missed penalty were the difference in a match that never quite caught fire. The Copper Queens will need their overseas stars back in the fold to sharpen their attack in Morocco.