Copper Queens coach Nora Hauptle has revealed that she is not afraid of losing her job for doing the right things as a coach.
In a recent interview with Swiss Olympic in her home country, Hauptle said she has grown significantly in her career and does not want to compromise her values by taking the wrong path.
“I’ve learned to be in the here and now and to do everything with conviction, as if it were forever. I don’t already have the next door in mind, but instead try to be especially present and do the things that need to be done right now. It’s a cliché, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. That was true in Ghana, and it’s true now in Zambia. In Switzerland, we always make so many plans and worry far too much,” she said.
The 42-year-old added that she has the freedom to speak her mind in Zambia because she is not afraid of being jobless.
“I’m privileged because I have such a strong safety net in Switzerland. I could work as a teacher, and my parents could help me out. I always say: I have the freedom in Zambia to tell everyone to their face what I really think because I’m not afraid of losing my job. If I were to be laid off, I would have other options. This freedom allows me to work more clearly and directly. I don’t have to compromise my principles or do anything that goes against my convictions.”
African players incredibly skilled – Hauptle
Hauptle also discussed the challenges of coaching in Africa, from adapting to new cultures and languages to coping with the weather, while praising African players.
“Generally speaking, players from African countries aren’t inherently poorly trained, even though this is often generalized from a Western perspective. They might not undergo the same level of professional training and may have fewer training hours overall. But due to the challenging terrain in Africa, they are technically incredibly skilled: they work from the difficult to the simple. The physical element, combined with a refined touch, are two qualities that distinguish them.”
Hauptle was appointed Zambia’s coach in February 2025, replacing Bruce Mwape after quiting her job in Ghana, where she served in the same capacity.
She led the Copper Queens to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in March and has also qualified the team for next year’s edition, where she hopes to reach the semifinals and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Copper Queens will participate in a four-nation tournament alongside Malawi, Zimbabwe, and one team yet to be confirmed. The tournament is scheduled to take place from 29 November to 2 December at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
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