Black Queens Face Uncertainty as Coach Nora Hauptle Signs with Zambia Ahead of WAFCON
In a shocking turn of events, the Ghanaian women’s football team, the Black Queens, has been left in a precarious position just six months before the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The team’s former head coach, Nora Hauptle, has signed a three-year deal with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), leaving Ghana without a leader as they prepare for the prestigious tournament.
Hauptle played a pivotal role in guiding the Black Queens to WAFCON qualification in November 2023, where they secured a hard-fought 3-2 aggregate victory over Namibia. However, with her contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) expiring on December 31, 2024, her departure comes as a significant blow to the team’s aspirations for success in the upcoming competition.
In the wake of Hauptle’s exit, the GFA has reassigned her assistants, Charles Sampson and Anita Wiredu, to the U-20 women’s team, effectively leaving a void in the Black Queens’ technical staff. As the team gears up for a challenging group stage against Mali, Tanzania, and South Africa, the absence of a head coach has raised concerns about their preparedness and strategy.
The Football Association of Zambia expressed enthusiasm about Hauptle’s appointment, highlighting her potential to elevate their women’s team. “We are excited to announce Nora Hauptle as the new Zambia Women’s National Team coach. We believe she has the pedigree to take us to the next level,” stated FAZ General Secretary Rueben Kamanga.
With the clock ticking down to the tournament, the Black Queens are now in urgent need of a new head coach to guide them through their preparations and strategy. The team’s management is under pressure to act swiftly to ensure that they can compete effectively when the tournament kicks off.
