Nora Hauptle’s tenure as head coach of Ghana’s Black Queens has come to an amicable end following her decision not to renew her contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). After just a year in charge, the Swiss tactician leaves behind a legacy of transformation, having guided the team to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification since 2018.

Despite widespread calls for her to remain, Hauptle revealed that critical elements needed for sustained success were missing, which ultimately influenced her decision. Addressing the situation in an interview with Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes, the 41-year-old shared:
“It wasn’t easy to give up the project. My contract was running out at the end of the year, and we had discussions. But a few pieces of the puzzle that were relevant to my success weren’t clear. I can’t just make compromises, but nothing happened. We are parting on good terms, with a lot of respect for each other.”

While the GFA attributed her exit to disagreements over remuneration, Hauptle emphasized the lack of certain fundamental structures as the key reason.

Her departure marks the start of a new chapter, as she takes on the role of head coach for Zambia’s Copper Queens. Hauptle now faces the exciting challenge of leading Zambia into this year’s WAFCON, continuing her commitment to African women’s football.