Nora Häuptle Eyes Glory with Zambia in Her First WAFCON Experience
As the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) approaches, Zambia head coach Nora Häuptle is preparing for what will be both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. Speaking to CAF Media, the Swiss tactician reflected on what this tournament means to her and how she views the challenge ahead in Group A.
“This will be my first WAFCON, my first major tournament on the continent,” Häuptle shared. “With Ghana, I had qualified the team after three years of work. That was a great journey.”
Now at the helm of Zambia’s Copper Queens, Häuptle sees her upcoming WAFCON debut as the culmination of years of dedication. “It’s a kind of fulfilment,” she added. “We’ve invested so much into this team, with so much passion.”
For Häuptle, the dream is shared by an entire nation. “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 has been drawn into Group A alongside Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal, a group Häuptle describes as “diverse” in playing style and character.
Reflecting on her knowledge of the opponents, she noted, “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.”
The threat from DR Congo is also clear. “They are home to the current CAF Women’s Champions League winners, TP Mazembe, which means a strong club foundation,” Häuptle explained. “Often, these clubs form the backbone of the national team. So we’re expecting a tough, combative match there.”
As for Morocco, Zambia is already familiar with the North Africans from recent Olympic qualifiers. “You can clearly see the results of their federation’s investment, for both men and women,” Häuptle said. “Their game is more possession-based.”
With preparations in full swing and expectations building, Häuptle is taking a grounded but ambitious approach. “It’s a chance to prove our worth at the highest level,” she said. “We’ll approach each match with the mindset to grow and achieve.”
The opening match of the 2024 WAFCON will be between Zambia’s Cooper Queens and hosts Morocco on July 5, 2025.
