Häuptle talks about Kukakata, Chipantepante and Hazel Nali.
Below is a full script….
“The team showed very good character against Senegal and we were able to adjust. We equalised and then also went up 2-1. I think even before the break we should have scored 3-1 or 4-1. There have been enough chances on the pitch where we could have closed the game.
“We made a vow, we knew it was going to be a war, we were going to fight. We prepared the players mentally for that. We knew we were getting a lot of long balls. I think we were very stable with our two holding midfielders.”
“It was a lot of kukakata, we say in Zambia. Kukakata is to have this spirit, this grip, to burn and to defend.
“I think Barbra sometimes even was on the centre back, on the holding, when we had a player out.
“We showed and proved our values on the pitch. Love, unity and passion. Our identity was clearly shown, and in the end it was a very deserved victory from our team.”
“I think defending wise, we did not concede out of open play. It was just set pieces, so defensively, there were a lot of good elements on the pitch that we could build on. The rate of our chances is okay. Then we need to do better.
“I think against Morocco, we had a very determined defensive performance.
“As I said, there are two goals out of set pieces.
“Today, also one goal, a penalty which I would not give like that. Again, I said this, in the beginning, we were a bit sleepy and got caught by a long call with bad communication.
“But I think, we see that we are getting much more stable and much more mature in defending.”
“We wanted to go a bit away from Chipantepante and play more possession football.
“In the beginning today, we were a bit too nervous but I think we adjusted well after fifteen minutes.”
“Now it’s to keep the work on and we always know that Team Zambia is always good at scoring 2–3 goals.
“So we must add to the score line in front and behind, we put in the work,”
“We knew we had the pressure to take the three points. My team showed that we say in Zambia, that they have the desire, the will, and the passion to defend, to fight. I like what we did,” Häuptle concluded.
“We have to focus on our team. I think it’s all in our hands. We need to focus on ourselves and perform well in the third game.”
“Hazel Nali, the goalkeeper? Wow. We won 3-2 and you are asking me about the player who is not here?
“But, of course, I can answer this question. Hazel is a fantastic goalkeeper. She was at this tournament for Zambia.
“She’s already over a year out of play. So she did not train in any club.
“She did not play any games. So for me, of course, when she’s back on the training pitch, which I hope it’s gonna be soon, then she will be in focus of the national team.
“But, it’s never possible to call up a player who was more than a year out of the game and even in training practice.”
Congratulations to the copper queens and the coach for wining the match against Senegal by 3-2
Go Zambia go, we are behind with you.