Zambia women’s national team, the Copper Queens, have announced the appointment of Nora Hauptle as their new head coach. 

Hauptle joins Zambia on a three-year deal until 2028 after leaving her role at the Black Queens. 

The Swiss trainer will lead the Copper Queens for the next three years with her first major assignment expected to be the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July this year. 

Hauptle was in charge of the Black Queens until last month when her contract ended having been at the helm of affairs since 2023.

The gaffer turned down a contract extension from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to stay on as the team’s head coach. 

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed Swiss national Nora Hauptle as the new head coach of the Copper Queens on a 3-year deal,” an official statement said. 

“Hauptle, a former Swiss international defender, brings a wealth of experience, including coaching in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga and Ghana's Black Queens. She will build on the team’s astonishing milestones, including Bronze at WAFCON 2022, a FIFA World Cup debut in 2023, and Back-to-back Olympic qualifications (Tokyo 2020 & Paris 2024).

“Outgoing coach Bruce Mwape has been reassigned to FAZ’s developmental programs as he undertakes the CAF Pro License course.

“Let’s welcome Coach Hauptle and wish her success as we prepare for the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco!”

Hauptle sealed Ghana’s return to the WAFCON for the first time since 2018 and was one game away from qualifying the team to their first-ever Olympic Games.

Her departure means the Black Queens are without a coach six months from the tournament to be staged in Morocco.