Häuptle lays down rules for foreign-based players to join Zambia squad

Zambia women’s national team head coach Norah Häuptle has declared she has expanded her scouting network to include players abroad with Zambian roots.

Speaking to the FAZ Media team, Häuptle said diaspora players must prove they are better than the local talent if they are to earn a place in the national team.

Häuptle, who has already handed a call-up to France-based striker Samiah Phiri, emphasized that the door remains open for more diaspora players, as long as they are ready to play for the badge.

‘They need to have a heart for the country’

She said the technical bench has extended its scouting reach beyond Zambia to identify eligible players especially those based in Europe and the United States.

“We basically say ‘Zambia Ku Calo’. All players in the diaspora with Zambian roots are welcome to our national team. We have extended the scouting to the US and Europe. Currently, we have some on our radar, especially in Europe,” said Häuptle.

“First of all, we need to check a player’s commitment to playing for Zambia. For me, they need to be willing to play for the badge. They need to have a heart for the country. Secondly, they need to be better than our local talent in a particular position.”

Häuptle further explained commitment, quality and character are the key requirements for any diaspora player hoping to break into the Copper Queens squad.

“Thirdly, we need to have dialogue, and I also need to check if their character fits into our team. When those three steps are done, like in Samiah Phiri’s case, we invite them. Sometimes we need to work on documentation, passports and so on, then they are good to go,” Häuptle concluded.