Zambia replace Hauptle for COSAFA tournament in South Africa

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General Secretary Machacha Shepande has confirmed Charles Haalubono has travelled with the Copper Queens to this year’s COSAFA Senior Women’s Championship and will take charge of the team in the interim.

Shepande revealed that head coach Nora Hauptle remains in charge of the team and has been fully involved in selecting the squad for the regional tournament.

“Nora is the head coach and she selected the team for this year’s regional tournament. She travelled back to her home base to attend to an assignment and will join the team once she completes it,” Shepande said.

Haalubono to lead Copper Queens

Haalubono will lead the technical bench during the opening phase of the tournament until Hauptle links up with the team in South Africa.

Speaking after being handed the role, Charles Haalubono, who doubles up as Copper Queens assistant coach, said the COSAFA Women’s Championship is a key part of Zambia’s preparations for WAFCON.

Haalubono added Hauptle – led technical bench is treating the tournament with the seriousness it deserves as the team builds towards the continental showpiece.

“This is very important for us because it is the tournament which is leading us to WAFCON; so, it’s a big preparation stage for us,” said Haalubono. He stressed the need for the team to stay true to its identity.

“All we are doing is telling our players to play our game so that we keep our philosophy, continue with it and improve on it so that we go and use it at WAFCON and produce the desired results.”

Zambia focused to defend title

Haalubono also praised the junior players for settling in well.

“The junior players are coping well, the senior players have received them so well and they are feeling comfortable and I’m sure they have brought in positive energy,” he said.

Striker Kabange Mupopo, who last featured at COSAFA over nine years ago, is happy to be back in the squad in Polokwane. She said the team is focused on defending the title.

“It feels good as we are preparing for WAFCON. It’s a very good thing, as you know I am a senior player. I’m going there to help the young players. So this tournament is important to me and the team,” Mupopo said.

Eneless Phiri urged fans to keep believing in the team as they chase another COSAFA crown.

“We want the fans to believe in us. We will deliver. We will bring the cup again. We will not underrate any team. We don’t know how they have prepared so we need to work hard.”

Zambia, who held their first training session at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium training pitch shortly after arriving in Polokwane, South Africa, head into the tournament as defending champions having won title in 2024.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed that Charles Haalubono will take interim charge of the Copper Queens during the opening phase of this year’s COSAFA Senior Women’s Championship. FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande announced that Haalubono travelled with the squad to South Africa and will oversee the team’s technical operations until head coach Nora Häuptle joins the camp.

Shepande clarified that Häuptle remains the substantive head coach of the national women’s team and was fully involved in selecting the squad for the regional competition. According to FAZ, Häuptle temporarily returned to her home base to attend to a prior commitment but is expected to link up with the team in due course.

Haalubono Steps Up for COSAFA

Charles Haalubono, who also serves as assistant coach of the Copper Queens, will lead the technical bench during the early stages of the tournament. His appointment ensures continuity within the squad, given his close working relationship with the players and familiarity with the team’s tactical structure.

Speaking after being entrusted with the interim responsibility, Haalubono emphasized that the COSAFA Women’s Championship is a critical part of Zambia’s preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). He described the regional competition as more than just a title defense, calling it a crucial building block toward continental success.

“This is very important for us because it is the tournament which is leading us to WAFCON; so, it’s a big preparation stage for us,” Haalubono said.

He added that maintaining the team’s identity and philosophy remains a priority. “All we are doing is telling our players to play our game so that we keep our philosophy, continue with it and improve on it so that we go and use it at WAFCON and produce the desired results.”

Nora Häuptle Remains in Charge

Head coach Nora Häuptle continues to oversee the broader technical direction of the Copper Queens. Her involvement in squad selection underscores FAZ’s commitment to stability and structured preparation. Häuptle’s return is anticipated as the tournament progresses, ensuring the team benefits from her leadership ahead of key fixtures.

The arrangement highlights FAZ’s confidence in its technical bench, demonstrating a collaborative approach rather than a leadership vacuum. With both coaches aligned in vision and strategy, Zambia’s preparations for WAFCON remain firmly on track.

Defending Champions with a Target on Their Backs

Zambia heads into the COSAFA Senior Women’s Championship as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2024. The Copper Queens have steadily established themselves as one of Southern Africa’s dominant forces in women’s football, blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent.

The team held its first training session at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium training pitch shortly after arriving in Polokwane, South Africa. The session focused on tactical organization, sharpness, and team cohesion, signaling the squad’s determination to defend their crown.

Senior Players Inspire the Squad

Veteran striker Kabange Mupopo, returning to COSAFA action after more than nine years, expressed excitement about rejoining the tournament. As one of the senior figures in the squad, Mupopo highlighted her role in guiding younger players and fostering unity within the team.

“It feels good as we are preparing for WAFCON. It’s a very good thing, as you know I am a senior player. I’m going there to help the young players. So this tournament is important to me and the team,” she said.

Her return adds experience and leadership to a squad that features several promising youngsters eager to make their mark on the regional stage.

Midfielder Eneless Phiri also called on supporters to rally behind the team. She reassured fans that the Copper Queens are focused, motivated, and ready to compete at the highest level.

“We want the fans to believe in us. We will deliver. We will bring the cup again. We will not underrate any team. We don’t know how they have prepared so we need to work hard,” Phiri stated.

Blending Youth and Experience

Haalubono praised the integration of junior players into the senior setup. According to him, the experienced members of the squad have welcomed the newcomers warmly, helping them adapt quickly to the team environment.

“The junior players are coping well, the senior players have received them so well and they are feeling comfortable and I’m sure they have brought in positive energy,” he noted.

This balance between youth and experience could prove decisive as Zambia navigates a competitive tournament field. The emphasis on unity, tactical discipline, and mental resilience reflects the team’s ambition not only to defend their COSAFA title but also to build momentum for WAFCON.

Eyes on WAFCON and Beyond

While the immediate objective is to retain the COSAFA crown, the broader goal remains continental success at WAFCON. The tournament provides a valuable platform to test strategies, evaluate player combinations, and fine-tune match fitness ahead of the larger African stage.