Zambia assistant coach Charles Haluboono has paid tribute to head coach Nora Hauptle for her “unwavering guidance,” despite her absence, after the Copper Queens lifted the Three-Nations Tournament trophy with a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

Hauptle did not travel with the team due to illness, according to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

The Copper Queens won the competition with a dominant display, featuring a brace from Eneless Phiri and a long-range strike from Natasha Nanyangwe. Haluboono credited the squad’s improved finishing for the difference compared to their earlier match against hosts Malawi, which ended 1-1.

“We are happy as a team,” Haluboono said. “First of all, let me take this opportunity to thank our head coach who is unwell—we wish her well. We can’t do all this without her. She has been there for us.”

Reflecting on the match, Haluboono said Zambia executed their tactical plan effectively, particularly in exploiting second balls and attacking space behind the Zimbabwean defence.“It was a highly tactical game. It was good that when we created chances, we were able to get goals. Today we converted better compared to the Malawi game where we wasted many chances,” he stated after the match.

Haluboono acknowledged the absence of star players Grace Chanda and captain Barbra Banda but commended those who stepped up in their place.

“We always miss our players—they are extremely good. But whoever is given a chance must prove themselves. You cannot stick to the same players over and over,” he said.

He reserved special praise for young forward Eneless Phiri, whose brace secured the win. “She has been working towards this—she is a fast-developing player,” Haluboono said of Eneless.

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