The Zambia Women’s National Team, the Copper Queens, will enter their next chapter under a new technical setup after Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed the mutual separation of head coach Nora Häuptle.
FAZ announced on September 19 that it had reached an agreement with the Swiss coach to end her time in charge. General Secretary Charles Chakatazya said the decision followed discussions with Häuptle’s representatives and was made “in the interest of progress for both parties.”
Häuptle was appointed Copper Queens coach in January 2025 on a three-year contract, taking over from the late Bruce Mwape. Her appointment came as Zambia looked to build on a period that had seen the team qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and two consecutive Olympic Games.
Her tenure included qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Zambia produced a 7–2 aggregate victory over Namibia in the qualifiers.
However, the Copper Queens’ WAFCON campaign in Morocco ended at the group stage. Zambia defeated Egypt 6–0, lost 1–0 to Nigeria and then beat Malawi 2–1, finishing on six points but missing out on the quarter-finals through the tournament’s tiebreaker system.
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With Häuptle now gone, assistant coach Charles Haalubono has been handed interim responsibility. FAZ says a long-term technical arrangement will be announced in due course.
Haalubono’s first major task comes quickly. The Copper Queens are preparing for a crucial second-round Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifier against Uganda, with Zambia scheduled to travel to Uganda on October 8 before hosting the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola a week later.
The interim coach has already summoned a 33-member local squad, mixing established Copper Queens players with emerging talent. Among those called up is Zesco Ndola Girls forward Eneless Phiri, alongside players such as Evarine Katongo and 15-year-old goalkeeper Winfridah Mutale.
The coaching change therefore comes at a significant moment for the Copper Queens. FAZ now has to determine the team’s long-term technical direction while Haalubono prepares the squad for an important Olympic qualification campaign.
For now, the immediate focus is Uganda — and the next chapter of the Copper Queens begins with Haalubono on the touchline.
