The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced the appointment of Swiss national Nora Hauptle as the new head coach of the Copper Queens on a three-year deal.
Hauptle, a former Swiss international defender, brings a distinguished résumé to the role. With extensive experience in women’s football, she has managed teams in Germany’s highly competitive Frauen-Bundesliga and Ghana’s Black Queens. Her arrival marks a new chapter for the Copper Queens as they aim to cement their position as one of Africa’s elite teams.
The Copper Queens have enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, earning the admiration of fans worldwide. Highlights include securing Bronze at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), their historic debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and consecutive Olympic qualifications in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Hauptle’s task will be to build on these milestones and guide the team to even greater heights.
Outgoing coach Bruce Mwape, who oversaw many of these successes, has been reassigned to FAZ’s developmental programs. Mwape will focus on nurturing the next generation of Zambian talent as he pursues his CAF Pro License course.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga expressed confidence in the appointment, stating, “Nora Hauptle’s expertise and international experience make her the perfect candidate to lead the Copper Queens. We believe she will take the team to the next level and inspire the next generation of players in Zambia.”
Coach Hauptle’s immediate focus will be preparing the Copper Queens for the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco. She has expressed her excitement about the challenge, saying, “Zambia has shown incredible potential on the global stage. I am honored to join this journey and look forward to working with the players, staff, and FAZ to achieve even greater success.”
The FAZ family warmly welcomes Nora Hauptle and wishes her success as she takes the helm of the Copper Queens. The journey continues!
