FAZ Appoints Nora Hauptle as Copper Queens Coach, Bruce Mwape Re-assigned

FAZ Appoints Nora Hauptle as Copper Queens Coach, Bruce Mwape Re-assigned

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially announced the appointment of Swiss national Nora Hauptle as the new head coach of the Zambia Women’s National Football Team, the Copper Queens, on a three-year contract. Hauptle succeeds Bruce Mwape, who led the team to historic achievements over the past few years. Mwape will be re-assigned to a new role within FAZ’s developmental teams.

FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga expressed his confidence in Hauptle’s ability to continue building on the success achieved by the Copper Queens. “We are excited to announce Nora Hauptle as the new Zambia Women’s National Team coach. We believe that she has the pedigree and profile to take us to the next level,” said Kamanga. Hauptle’s main task will be to consolidate the gains made by the Copper Queens, including their bronze medal at the 2022 WAFCON, their qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and their consecutive Olympic Games appearances in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Hauptle, a former Swiss international defender, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. After retiring from playing in 2009, she transitioned into coaching and quickly made a name for herself. She previously coached SC Sand in the German Frauen-Bundesliga, where she was the league’s only female coach at the time. In 2022, she took the reins of Ghana’s Black Queens, further cementing her reputation as a skilled tactician in women’s football.

Bruce Mwape’s departure from the Copper Queens head coach position marks the end of a successful tenure. Under his leadership, the Copper Queens achieved unprecedented success, including qualification for the World Cup and Olympic Games. Kamanga thanked Mwape for his contributions, noting that his work has significantly elevated the status of women’s football in Zambia. “Bruce Mwape’s work has been monumental for the team, and we remain grateful for his leadership,” Kamanga said. “He will now transition into a key role within our technical development program and will undertake the CAF Pro License course.”

Mwape’s re-assignment to the developmental teams underscores FAZ’s commitment to nurturing local coaching talent. As part of a collaboration with the Royal Morocco Federation, Mwape will become the second Zambian coach to undertake the prestigious CAF Pro License course, following Wedson Nyirenda. This move aligns with FAZ’s long-term strategy to improve the quality of coaching at all levels of the game in Zambia.

The Copper Queens are already preparing for the 2024 WAFCON, which will take place in Morocco in July 2025. Hauptle’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the team, as they aim to continue their success on the continental and global stage. With Hauptle at the helm, the Copper Queens have a strong chance of building on their recent achievements and solidifying Zambia’s place as a force in women’s football. The footballing community in Zambia eagerly awaits the next chapter under her leadership.