Football coach Nebart Phiri has urged the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to allow Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle full authority to select her own technical bench ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Speaking in an interview with BolaNews, Phiri said allowing the coach to pick her backroom staff is a progressive move ahead of a continental tournament.
“We thank God for the negotiations that have brought her back because dialogue is important. What is even more encouraging is that she has reportedly been given the go-ahead to choose her technical bench. This is the right thing to do if you want results,” Phiri said.
The former River Plate FC coach, who parted ways with the club over alleged interference in player selection, said a head coach performs better when surrounded by staff whom she trusts and understands.
“When a coach chooses her own technical team, it gives her leverage. She knows the people she is working with and can trust their support. Coaching is also psychological—a coach can easily tell who is fully behind them and who is not,” he said.
“Coaching is not about giving people jobs or planting people to monitor the coach. Once you appoint a head coach, it means you trust them. Let them do their job professionally.”
Phiri said if granted the freedom, Häuptle is expected to perform well at the tournament that also serves as a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
“This already adds a huge advantage to what she wants to achieve. We now expect her to deliver and hopefully win for Zambia at WAFCON,” he said.
Phiri guided River Plate FC to two draws and one defeat before his departure.
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