With just four days to go before the kickoff of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, Copper Queens Head Coach Nora Häuptle has sent a bold and confident message “We are ready to hunt.”
The Zambian women’s national team is now fully assembled in Morocco following some initial transit delays, and Häuptle says the camp has quickly found rhythm and purpose.
“We had our second session here with the complete squad on Friday. The mood is excellent.I think we have found a very good balance between having a good mood and working hard,”Hauptle said.
Zambia will face hosts Morocco in their opening group match, a challenge the coach is embracing head-on.
“We are ready to hunt (against Morocco),they have technically good players, and we are aware of that, but we want to challenge them the best we can and find the right strategy to go at them,” she said .
Häuptle also revealed that preparations have gone beyond physical drills and tactical formations, stating that the team has taken time to reflect on its collective values and identity.
“We had a very good session yesterday about our values how we want to act on the pitch, how we want to be recognised, and what kind of culture we want to express to the outside,” she explained.
The Swiss tactician, who has helped usher in a new era of professionalism and belief within the Copper Queens setup, called on Zambians at home and abroad to throw their support behind the team.
“We hope that as many fans as possible can arrive here in Morocco to support us on-site,” said Häuptle.
“Or, if it’s not possible, that you are behind the televisions. We expect the full nation to be cheering for us and carrying us through this group stage.”
The Copper Queens are drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal, and Uganda a competitive pool, but one that Häuptle’s squad is approaching with growing confidence and a hunger to prove themselves on the continental stage.