The Football Association of Zambia has confirmed the appointment of Nora Hauptle as the new head coach of the Copper Queens, citing her in-depth understanding of the team and their needs.
Hauptle, who previously coached Ghana’s Black Queens, led them through a challenging 2024 Olympic qualifier against Zambia, where they narrowly lost with a 4-3 aggregate score.
Her impressive approach to the game during that series made her the top choice for the job.
Reuben Kamanga, General Secretary of the Football Association of Zambia, explained that Hauptle’s familiarity with the team played a key role in the decision.
He highlighted her understanding of Zambia’s players, their strengths, and weaknesses, as well as the experience gained from the qualifiers, which gave her an edge over other candidates.
“When we assessed the candidates and reviewed the selection process, we felt that Nora Hauptle was the best fit for the team,” he told Joy Sports.
“She [Nora Hauptle] knew our players well, understood their strengths and weaknesses, and perhaps the [Ghana vs Zambia Olympic qualifiers] gave her an advantage over the other candidates.
“We want her [Nora Hauptle] to maintain Olympic and World Cup qualifications, win WAFCON trophies, and secure more regional accolades.”
