Zambia coach Nora Hauptle blasts WAFCON postponement as ‘disrespect’ to women’s football

Zambia women’s national team head coach Nora Hauptle has launched a scathing critique of the decision to postpone the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), labeling the move a “disrespect” to the entire continental game.

Taking to social media on Friday, the former Ghana coach expressed her “big disappointment” regarding the late scheduling changes, which have left several of Africa’s top teams in competitive limbo during a critical development phase.

The tournament, originally slated for a March kickoff, was pushed back to July 2026, a decision Häuptle believes undermines the professional standards players and staff have worked to establish.

“We need to state clearly the disrespect to all participating players, coaches, teams, associations, fans, and stakeholders,” Häuptle said on LinkedIn.

She emphasized that the Copper Queens were ready to compete and argued that “Women’s football in Africa deserves better” than the administrative hurdles currently hampering its progress.

The postponement had immediate logistical consequences, leaving Zambia as one of the few qualified nations without friendly matches during the current FIFA international window.

Häuptle noted that high-quality games are “crucial” for the team’s evolution and revealed that the technical bench had to pivot to internal training sessions to refine tactical flexibility in the absence of an opponent.

However, the coach provided a silver lining for Zambian supporters by confirming that her request for the team to join the elite FIFA Series 2026 was successful.

In a major boost to their preparations, the Copper Queens will travel to Brazil in April to face world-class opposition in Canada, South Korea, and the host nation, Brazil.

Closing her statement, Häuptle called for increased domestic support, urging the Football Association of Zambia and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide further investment.

She maintained that consistent funding and high-level exposure are the only ways to ensure the “continuous growth” of a team that has become a symbol of national pride on the global stage.