Nora Häuptle Vows to Lead Zambia’s Copper Queens to Global Glory
Newly appointed head coach of Zambia’s Copper Queens, Nora Häuptle, has outlined her ambitious vision for the team, aiming to secure qualification for major international tournaments. The Swiss coach, unveiled at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel, signed a three-year contract, succeeding Bruce Mwape.
Häuptle, formerly the head coach of Ghana’s Black Queens, is determined to take Zambia’s women’s football to new heights. Speaking at her unveiling, she emphasized her commitment to ensuring the Copper Queens consistently feature in global competitions.
“We want to qualify for the big tournaments, return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympics, and progress beyond the group stages,” Häuptle said. “To achieve this, we need proper development steps. Success doesn’t just happen; we must invest in preparatory games and focus on our youth teams, like the U17 World Cup.”
The 41-year-old coach praised the roadmap set by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for the team’s preparations ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco this July. She revealed plans for a February home tournament to engage local fans, a possible tournament in April, and detailed preparations in May to ensure the team is ready for WAFCON.
With a monthly salary of $8,000, Häuptle expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, promising to give her best effort to elevate the Copper Queens.