Nora Hauptle Explains Decision to Leave Black Queens Amid Contract Negotiations
Former Black Queens head coach Nora Hauptle has opened up about her decision to step down from her role as head coach of Ghana’s National Women’s Football Team following the expiration of her contract.
Hauptle, who parted ways with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in late 2024, had successfully guided the team to qualify for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to July 26.
In an interview with Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes, Hauptle revealed that unresolved issues during contract negotiations influenced her decision to move on.
“It wasn’t easy to give up the project. My contract was running out at the end of the year, and we had discussions. But there were a few pieces of the puzzle that were not clear, which were relevant to my success,” she explained.
Ghana’s qualification for the WAFCON under Hauptle marked a significant achievement, as the team had failed to qualify for the previous edition of the tournament.
However, Hauptle emphasized her inability to make compromises during the negotiations. “I can’t just make compromises, but nothing happened. We are parting on good terms and with a lot of respect for each other,” she stated.
Since leaving her role with the Black Queens, Hauptle has taken up the position of head coach for Zambia’s Copper Queens.
She will lead the Zambian team at this year’s WAFCON, where they are drawn in Group A alongside host nation Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo.
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament, with Zambia aiming for a strong showing under Hauptle’s guidance.