Following Nora Häuptle’s appointment as head coach of the Zambia Women’s National Team last Friday, the Football Association of Zambia has confirmed that a six-nation tournament will be held in Ndola in preparation for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be held in Morocco from July 5, 2025, to July 26, 2025.
Häuptle, who left Ghana’s Black Queens after her contract expired in December, signed a three-year contract with the target of leading the Copper Queens to victory at the WAFCON. She will be assisted by two local coaches, Enala Simbeye and Charles Halubono.
The 41-year-old Swiss trainer and former SC Sand coach has also come to Zambia with another assistant, Philippe Hasler, who will be the third person on her technical bench.
Häuptle wants many friendly games
Before leaving Ghana, Häuptle complained about the lack of friendly games for the Black Queens, which is thought to be one of the reasons she left. When asked about it, she stated that she was not complaining but rather stating facts and that now that she is in Zambia, she expects to play more friendly games in preparation for the WAFCON.
“It wasn’t complaining, to be precise. I was stating [facts]. We had in Ghana three games last year; that’s not enough to prepare for a big tournament,” she said. “And here in our discussion with the leaders, I’m encouraged to have enough preparation games. I told you that I work on key performance indicators on the performance. So we need to test it in friendly games, you know… Otherwise, it’s very difficult to develop a team toward a tournament.
“In February, [it is expected] that we will play a tournament at home... Because we want to invite all Zambians to participate. I am curious about the crowd and the atmosphere,” Häuptle added. “So it’s important to stay home in February….. And then try to go to a tournament in April, which we’re in negotiations at the moment. Then there’s the end of May, a period where we’re also discussing what we’re going to do. We are setting a clear roadmap that we ensure in July we’ll be ready.”
Kamanga on dates for six-nation tournament
On Monday, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga confirmed that the Copper Queens will play a six-nation tournament in Ndola. The tournament will be held between 17-26 February.
“To get her [Nora Häuptle] warmed up, we will be hosting a six-nation tournament next month in Ndola during the FIFA window,” Kamanga wrote in his weekly Monday column posted on the FAZ Facebook page.
Kamanga said more details regarding the tournament will be communicated in due course.
“The FAZ secretariat will roll out the finer details of the tournament that will be used as part of preparations for the Morocco 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for July. We have tasked Nora Häuptle with the responsibility to win the WAFCON in July and qualify for the 2026 WAFCON, which serves as a qualifier for the FIFA World Cup. We also expect her to qualify us for the next Olympics and better our record at our previous appearances.”
Meanwhile, the Malawi FA president Fleetwood Haiya told BolaNews that they were invited to take part in the tournament.
Malawi hopes to use the tournament to prepare for the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers, which will begin in February. They will face Congo Brazzaville in the first round on February 17, 2025.
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