Nora Hauptle unveiled as new Copper Queens coach, explains “tactical screws” statement

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) unveiled Nora Hauptle, who was appointed earlier this month as the new head coach of the Zambia Women’s National Team, succeeding Bruce Mwape.

The 41-year-old Swiss trainer, who left Ghana’s Black Queens after her contract expired last December, will take over the Copper Queens on a three-year contract with the goal of winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be held in Morocco from July 5, 2025, to July 26, 2025.

Hauptle revealed after her unveiling at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel that she had always wanted to coach the Copper Queens.

“It was always a wish for me to take over this team because there’s so many fantastic players. There’s so much potential I see in this team. And of course, I know the expectations are very high. The team already reached the bronze medal [at WAFCON] …. And it’s, of course, our objective to go and top this result,” she said.

Hauptle added: “Furthermore, we want to qualify for the big tournaments, be back at the World Cup and Olympics, and pass the group stage. We also need to know that these are objectives….. But result-wise, we need to ensure that we do the right development steps. Results are not just falling from the sky; we must have a lot of preparation and we also need to invest in our youth teams with the under-17 World Cup. So I’m very curious to take over the work and I will ensure that I give my all and I think you’re going to ask me again in a year and then we see where we are.“

During her time as head coach of Ghana’s Black Queens, she led the team to the 2024 WAFCON and won the 2023 WAFU Zone B Cup.

She is known for tactical discipline and youth development, having previously served as a technical advisor for Ghana’s U-20 women’s squad at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Hauptle was in charge of the Black Queens for 14 games, winning 10; losing 3; and drawing 1.

Hauptle explains “tactical screws” statement

When Zambia faced Ghana in the Olympic qualifiers in February last year, Hauptle criticized Mwape, saying the Copper Queens had great players but needed to tighten their tactical screws. When asked what she meant by that statement, the former SC Sand coach explained what needed to be done.

“So I need to be careful. Hey, you take me by my word,” she jokingly responded. “I think there is a lot of potential in this team. One part tactic-wise, I think it’s obvious that we have very skillful players. They are very good in transition… But I guess that football is also to keep the ball, to take care a bit of the beauty of the game. It’s always my approach. And from there also to stabilize the defense.

“I think we saw at the Olympics that when you can score five goals against Australia and you get six, it’s difficult to win again. So, it’s of course also stabilizing the defense to bring a bit of structure and to put together these fantastic players. There are so many outstanding players and we must put them in the right positions.”

Hauptle will be assisted by two local coaches, Enala Simbeye and Charles Haluboono. She has also come to Zambia with another assistant, Philippe Hasler, who will be the third person on her technical bench.

Govt, FAZ to share Hauptle’s salary cost

Meanwhile, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said Hauptle’s immediate task is to win the WAFCON in July.

“We have since appointed coach Nora [Hauptle], with clear targets that she should take the team to the next level,” Kamanga said. “One of the targets that we’ve set is that we need to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations coming up in July… And also make sure that we qualify for the 2026 edition, which will be a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA World Cup. We’ve also tasked the new technical bench to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.”

FAZ has not disclosed her salary but Kamanga indicated that they will share the cost with the government.

Hauptle is now expected to lead the team in a 4/6 friendly tournament in Ndola next month, on a date to be announced by FAZ later. Malawi’s Scorchers are among the teams that have confirmed to BolaNews that they will take part in the tournament.

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