Zambia Women’s National Team coach Nora Häuptle has questioned the fairness of CAF’s tiebreaking regulations after the Copper Queens were eliminated from the WAFCON despite finishing the group stage with six points, the most goals scored and the best defensive record in their pool.
Zambia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage ended despite a 2-1 victory over Malawi in their final Group C match. The result left Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi tied on six points after Nigeria’s emphatic 6-2 win over Egypt, but CAF’s head-to-head regulations meant results against the lowest-ranked side, Egypt, were discarded.
The three-way tie was therefore decided only by matches between Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi. All three teams had one win and one defeat, with three points each in the mini-table. With goal difference also unable to separate them, goals scored became the deciding factor.
Malawi progressed as group winners after scoring four goals in the mini-table, Nigeria advanced in second place with three, while Zambia’s two goals saw the Copper Queens eliminated.
Häuptle admitted her team understood the regulations before the tournament, but expressed frustration that a side which scored nine goals overall, conceded only twice and collected six points could still exit at the group stage.
“Empty? No, we knew the regulations. We were prepared and we knew exactly that we needed to have two goals in difference,” Häuptle said after the Malawi match.
“It just feels very weird because basically we gained six points in this group, like Nigeria and like Malawi. We scored the most goals in this group and we conceded the least goals in this group. Sometimes I’m not sure if we do the right things with these kinds of regulations because it feels completely weird that we are out.”
The Swiss coach acknowledged that CAF’s rules were designed to prevent teams already eliminated from influencing qualification scenarios by heavily affecting final group standings, but questioned whether they always produce the strongest possible qualifiers.
“We are aware of the regulations, they are clear and transparent. I’m not criticising that they are not clear, but I question if they are the right regulations,” she said.
“This rule was invented because when a team is already out, they don’t want them to let go of the last game and affect the score. But we had Egypt in the first game and we dominated. We were so dominant in that match. So I question if this is really the right rule to bring the best teams forward.”
Zambia’s elimination came after a resounding win in the opening match against Egypt was followed by narrow loss to Nigeria and a hard fought victory over neighbors Malawi in a highly competitive group that Häuptle described as a “hammer group”.
The Copper Queens defeated Egypt ,6-0 in their opening match before losing 1-0 to Nigeria. They then beat Malawi 2-1 but could not find the two-goal margin required to guarantee qualification.
Despite the disappointment, Häuptle praised the progress made by her side since taking charge, highlighting the team’s defensive improvement and the emergence of younger players.
“I think you saw the evolution which we have done from the last WAFCON to this WAFCON. We conceded only two goals against two top teams in the world,” she said.
“We scored eight goals, conceded two and we are out. It’s difficult to accept.”
The coach also dismissed suggestions that the absence of injured star Racheal Kundananji was a factor in Zambia’s exit, insisting the squad had enough quality to compete.
“My team is good enough to play also when Kundananji is not on the pitch. It’s not only about two players. We have a very competitive squad, a lot of young players. We brought five or six under-20 players here who are upcoming, improving and performing well.”
Häuptle said the team would now take time to reflect on the campaign, while leaving her future in the hands of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
“I’m here to support this team. I see a project, I see humans, I see our growth and development. This is my philosophy,” she said.
“As long as we think that I am the right person for this job and I can support and deliver, I will always be here for the Copper Queens. If the federation thinks there is something better to take this job, then I am always the first one who will give my chair away.”
For Häuptle and Zambia, the pain of elimination remains, but the coach believes the performances showed a team capable of competing with Africa’s best — even if the rules ultimately denied them a place in the next round.
