FAZ Unveils Nora Häuptle as Copper Queens Coach “It Was Always a Wish for Me to Take Over This Team”

24.01.2025 | Football DNA

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officially introduced Nora Häuptle, a former Switzerland defender, as the new head coach of the Zambia Women’s National Team, the Copper Queens. The unveiling ceremony took place at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka and was attended by key FAZ officials, including President Andrew Kamanga, Vice President Justin Mumba, Women’s Representative Col. Priscilla Katoba, and Technical Director Lyson Zulu.

Häuptle, who previously coached Ghana’s Black Queens, signed a three-year contract to replace Bruce Mwape. Mwape will be pursuing a CAF Pro coaching course in Morocco, part of FAZ’s broader strategy to enhance local coaching capacity.

A Long-Awaited Dream Fulfilled

During her unveiling, Häuptle captivated the audience with her humor and candid remarks, sharing that coaching the Copper Queens had been a long-standing aspiration.“It was always a wish for me to take over this team because there are so many fantastic players and so much potential. The expectations are high, and I know this team is capable of achieving great things,” she said. Häuptle expressed her determination to build on the team’s achievements, including their WAFCON 2022 bronze medal, with the aim of securing even greater success.

Targets and Roadmap

FAZ President Andrew Kamanga outlined Häuptle’s primary objectives:

• Winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July 2025.

• Qualifying for the 2026 WAFCON, which serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

• Securing a spot in the next Olympic Games.

• Overseeing talent development across junior teams to strengthen the pipeline for the senior squad.

Kamanga also emphasized FAZ’s commitment to knowledge transfer, highlighting the inclusion of local coaches Charles Haalubono and Enala Phiri in Häuptle’s technical bench.

“In addition to empowering our local coaches with training, we’re sending Bruce Mwape to Morocco to pursue a CAF Pro License. This investment in capacity building is part of our long-term goal of having Zambian coaches lead our national teams,” Kamanga said.

Government Support and Vision

Kamanga extended gratitude to Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, and the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts for their unwavering support. He noted that appointing an expatriate coach reflects the government’s commitment to advancing women’s football, as outlined in the expanded Memorandum of Understanding between FAZ and the Ministry.

Häuptle’s Vision for the Copper Queens

The 41-year-old Swiss coach detailed her roadmap leading up to WAFCON in Morocco.“In February, we will play a home tournament to engage with Zambian fans and experience the local atmosphere. In April, we plan to participate in an international tournament, with further preparations in May,” Häuptle explained. She emphasized the importance of extensive preparations, including youth development, to ensure sustainable success.

Häuptle’s ultimate goals include winning major tournaments, advancing past the group stages at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and securing Olympic qualifications.

A New Era for the Copper Queens

Before the unveiling, Häuptle met with the Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, to discuss the team’s strategic direction. Her appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Copper Queens, who are two-time Olympians and participants in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

With her three-year contract in place, Häuptle is poised to lead the Copper Queens to new heights, building on their recent successes and inspiring the next generation of Zambian footballers.