Nora Hauptle, 41, has decided not to extend her contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and will soon be stepping into a new role as the head coach of Zambia's Copper Queens. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is expected to officially announce her appointment in the coming week.
Hauptle's departure marks the conclusion of her time with Ghana’s Black Queens, a team she led since 2023 after taking over from Mercy Tagoe. Before becoming the head coach of the senior women’s national team, Hauptle had served as a technical advisor for the Black Princesses, Ghana's U20 women’s national team, during the 2022 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup held in Costa Rica.
Her move to Zambia comes as a significant shift, and it raises concerns regarding the future preparations of the Black Queens. Hauptle herself has voiced apprehension about the team's limited match exposure, which she believes is crucial for their development. In a recent social media post, Hauptle stressed that high-quality game time is essential for the growth of players, providing them with the opportunity to improve, learn, and gain real-world experience in competitive settings.
These concerns are well-founded, as the issue of insufficient preparation for international tournaments has plagued Ghana's women’s football for years. The Black Queens have often struggled with preparation challenges, which has hindered their ability to compete at the highest level on the world stage.
Looking ahead to the WAFCON 2024, scheduled for July 2025, Hauptle’s comments underscore the disparities in preparation between teams. For Ghana, this serves as a wake-up call about the critical need for well-organized and competitive build-up matches to ensure the team is adequately prepared for such important tournaments.
With Hauptle set to begin her tenure with Zambia's Copper Queens, Ghana must now turn its focus to finding a replacement. The GFA will need to act quickly to appoint a new head coach who can continue to develop the Black Queens and ensure the team is fully prepared for the challenges ahead. The transition period will be crucial for maintaining the team's momentum and success in upcoming international competitions.
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