Nora Häuptle (Zambia): 'There is no elevator to success.'

CAF

2 days ago

With a clear and effective method, Nora Häuptle relies on discipline, active listening, and a deep focus on collective values to help her team grow
Around stars like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji, Zambia is built on a united, humble squad deeply rooted in its heritage
The goal is to win the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 and etch the Copper Queens into the history books of African football
She arrived in Lusaka with her whiteboard, her Swiss accent, and above all, her clear ideas. Since January this year, Nora Häuptle has been the new head coach of the Copper Queens.
At 41, the former Ghana national team coach has taken the reins with one clear ambition: to transform a talented group into genuine contenders for the continental title. The challenge is massive.
Their first test came in February against Malawi (a 2–3 loss), and in April, they made good on promises during a tournament in China. Slowly but surely, a sense of cohesion is building around a united squad and a game identity that's taking shape.
'We're taking it step by step—there's no elevator to success,' says Häuptle, clear-eyed and already fully invested in the Zambian project.
In a football-mad country, the Swiss coach quickly found her footing. With leaders like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji - international stars yet deeply rooted in their culture—Häuptle promotes humility and high standards. She listens, consults, decides. And above all, she unites.
A few weeks out from the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024, Zambia is clearly stating its ambitions. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal, the team moves forward with one goal in mind: to bring the trophy home. Because here, everyone believes. Nora Häuptle most of all.
CAFOnline.com: You took over Zambia in January. How have your first months been at the helm of the Copper Queens?
Nora Häuptle: Thank you. I started on January 1st. In February, we played two matches against Malawi, and in April, we took part in an international tournament in China. So far, the journey has been good. We've mainly focused on our playing principles and a slightly refined style. The players are very open-minded.
What surprised you most about Zambian football and your players?
What struck me the most is the incredible passion. People in Zambia are crazy about football. Wherever I go, even outside of a professional setting, people approach me and share their love for the game. There's a deep connection to football and a shared vision: to bring a trophy home with the women's team, just as the men's team did in 2012.
In fact, I sense even more excitement around the women's national team than the men's. These emotions and this passion drive me deeply.
How have you built your relationship with this squad, especially key players like Barbara Banda and Rachel Kundananji?
It's an honour for me to work with such exceptional players. We have incredible talent on this team, but what impresses me most is their humility. On a human level, they're very grounded, deeply connected to their roots—even though they're superstars.
That comes through in small gestures. For example, in February, the training fields were in poor condition. I expected them to complain, but they didn't say a word. They trained with full commitment. I appreciate that they never forget where they come from, that they support their communities, and that they are role models.
For my part, I try to engage with them as equals—collaboratively, always open to their input. Of course, I have to make the final call, but for now, I feel a very strong bond and deep commitment within this group.
You coached Ghana before Zambia. You clearly have a deep investment in African football. What makes it so special to you?
For me, it's a privilege to work in Africa. There's a vast reservoir of talent—not just in the players, but in the potential for overall development.
With Zambia right now, I genuinely feel there's a chance to raise the level of the game. I enjoy playing the role of 'developer'—taking teams to the next level.
And then there's the incredible passion for football. I've also learned so much culturally. I strive to stay open-minded, because it's a true exchange: I give, but I also receive so much. I'm deeply inspired by the continent's history and its people. I really want to continue this journey here.
This upcoming TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024 will be your first. What does it mean to you professionally and personally?
Yes, it'll be my very first WAFCON, my first major tournament on the continent. With Ghana, I had qualified the team after three years of work. That was a great journey.
Now I have the pleasure of participating with Zambia. For me, it's a kind of fulfilment.
It's also a chance to prove our worth at the highest level. We've invested so much into this team, with so much passion.
And in Zambia, we all share one vision: to bring a trophy home. That's a huge motivation for me. I just want to make sure we move forward step by step, with curiosity and enthusiasm. I can't wait for the tournament to begin.
Zambia will be in Group A with Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal. What's your analysis of the group?
It's a fairly diverse group in terms of playing styles. I know Senegal a bit from my time with Ghana. They're a very physical team, with technically skilled players. Many of them play in France, a physically demanding league.
DR Congo is home to the current CAF Women's Champions League winners (Editor's note: TP Mazembe), which means a strong club foundation.
Often, these clubs form the backbone of the national team. So we're expecting a tough, combative match there.
As for Morocco—you can clearly see the results of their federation's investment, for both men and women. Their game is more possession-based.
Zambia recently played them in Olympic qualifiers, so we're familiar with their approach.
How do you manage the collective pressure?
Yes, expectations are high. But personally, I don't read much of what's said around us—I try not to let outside pressure into my mind. I always come back to the small daily steps of our work.
I know there's no elevator to success, only stairs.
I prefer to focus on our performance. I always say: if we work hard on our performance, results will follow. So I stay focused on that.
How do you build unity in a team that's increasingly under media scrutiny?
I think we've built an inner life unique to our group, and that's our focus. For me, team stability is rooted in its values. We're still in that process—defining our values together, understanding what they mean concretely, and then living them daily.
I believe that when that foundation is strong, even if there are ups and downs in performance, we never lose what matters most. We can lose a game, yes—but we must never lose our values. Coming back to that base helps us face pressure with greater composure.
How do you balance the experienced internationals with the young talents from the local league?
Recently, our U17 team qualified for the World Cup, which proves the depth of talent we have here. We do have some very gifted young players, and I'm gradually bringing them into the senior setup.
For me, it's the squad as a whole that matters. We need to build a system around our key players. We have some outstanding individuals, so the challenge is finding a way to make them work together effectively on the pitch while maintaining team cohesion.
For example, during the tournament in China in April, some of our key players couldn't travel. It was an opportunity to give game time to younger players—and I believe in them. They stepped up. For me, it's all about finding the right balance.
Coach, you're still young, but let's talk legacy. What do you hope to leave behind in Zambian football?
I only started at the beginning of the year, so I'm not thinking much about legacy yet. But the vision of the country—and the players—really inspires me: to win a trophy. That's a clear goal.
Beyond that, I'd also like to be remembered as a good person, someone who stayed true to her values. Someone who shared her passion for football, but also someone who inspired others, both in sport and beyond—here in Zambia.