Copper Queens Aim to Rebuild After WAFCON 2024 Quarterfinal Exit, Says Coach Häuptle

Zambia’s Copper Queens coach, Nora Häuptle, has shared a realistic yet optimistic outlook after the team’s 5-0 defeat to Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024.

During a post-match press conference held at the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, Häuptle acknowledged the areas that need improvement while expressing confidence in Zambia’s long-term football growth.

“We struggled with aerial control during set pieces, and that’s an area we definitely need to address,” Häuptle explained. “We anticipated Nigeria’s crosses, yet we must recognize that there’s significant room for improvement.”

Even though the team was down 3-0 at halftime, they made tactical adjustments to fight their way back into the match. Häuptle emphasized the importance of creating better opportunities for young Zambian players to gain international experience.

“How can we cultivate a better pathway for our talents to move abroad earlier? We need to ensure that our players can compete in leagues where they will get playing time,” she remarked.

Häuptle faced the reality of the loss head-on, stressing that it was a shared experience for both players and staff.

“This wasn’t just one person’s fault; it was a collective loss. We celebrate victories together, and we also take responsibility for our defeats together,” she stated.

“We’re heading back to Zambia, and we’ll get back to work regardless. Let’s see what the future holds.”

With the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers against Namibia on the horizon, the focus now shifts to preparing for upcoming competitions while sustaining the team’s developmental momentum.

“The progress is evident. However, 10 games in charge isn’t enough; we need to think long-term. The more matches we play, the more we can grow,” she noted.

“We are on a path of growth and development… We are here to chase success. We’ll be ready to compete fiercely in the next tournament. Our hunger for victory remains strong.”