Ex-Black Queens coach Nora Hauptle leaves role as Copper Queens head coach by mutual agreement

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced a mutual separation from Copper Queens head coach Nora Hauptle, bringing an end to her tenure less than two years into a three-year contract.FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya said the decision was reached after discussions with Hauptle's representatives and was made in the best interests of both parties."After a meeting between FAZ and Hauptle's representatives, it was agreed that in the interest of progress for both parties they had to separate," the association said in a statement.FAZ thanked the Swiss coach for her contribution to Zambian football and wished her well in her future endeavours.Assistant coach Charles Haalubono has been appointed interim head coach as Zambia prepares for upcoming fixtures."Considering that we have assignments coming up in the next few weeks, we will allow the assistant coach Charles Haalubono to head the team. FAZ will in due course announce long-term arrangements," Chakatazya said.Hauptle was appointed Zambia coach on 24 January 2025, succeeding the late Bruce Mwape, who had led the Copper Queens since 2018.Before taking charge of Zambia, the 42-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with Ghana's women's national team after being appointed by the Ghana Football Association in 2023.She guided the Black Queens through the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and helped the team win the 2023 WAFU Zone B Women's Cup.As a player, Hauptle featured as a defender for several Swiss clubs, including St. Gallen, BSC YB Frauen and FFC Zuchwil 05, before a spell with Dutch side FC Twente Enschede.She began her coaching career while still playing at FC Thun, working with the club's U14 and U15 boys' teams between 2009 and 2012 while also serving as an athletic coach across the youth setup.Alongside her coaching development, Hauptle studied sports and theatre studies at the University of Bern, worked as a conditioning coach for Swiss tennis player Romina Oprandi and later became a football pundit for Swiss broadcaster SRF zwei.