Zambia’s coach explains her selection strategy, defensive overhaul and high-level preparation as the race for Brazil 2027 begins.

Zambia Women’s National Team coach Nora Elizabeth Häuptle has outlined a carefully structured and uncompromising preparation plan for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026, as the Copper Queens concluded their local pre-camp following the naming of a 38-member provisional squad.

The Swiss tactician used the local camp to cast a wide net, blending experience with youth as she began shaping a squad capable not only of competing at WAFCON, but of securing automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, awarded to the tournament’s top four finishers.

“Yes, we called up for the local pre-camp 38 players, so we had a wide look, including also six under-20 players. They responded very well. The training mentality was good, intensity, we worked in the first week a bit on the basics again, repeated what we have done the whole year, and now in the second week we started to work on a second plan, so we have a clear three objectives set.”

Fitness, Defence and Tactical Flexibility

Häuptle revealed that the pre-camp was guided by three non-negotiable performance pillars, starting with physical conditioning.

“First of all, it’s to bring the players in shape fitness-wise, we did fitness testing, a lot of runs, a lot of small-sided games also to ensure that they get fitness-wise improved.”

But it is defensively where the Copper Queens coach has set her most ambitious target, pointing to statistics she believes must change if Zambia are to become genuine continental contenders.

“Secondly, the objective is, we want to reduce the amount of goals against us, because we are always good for scoring. But we… We received nearly 1.6 goals on average per game. This is too high, we need to half it. Usually a successful team goes down on 0.8 goals against on average. So it’s a clear objective to work there. And so that means we need to get better in defending, in the box defending. That was the main target.”

The third pillar, she explained, is tactical adaptability.

“And on the third point, we want to get a bit more flexible also in our tactical approach.”

Balancing COSAFA and World Cup Ambitions

With the COSAFA Women’s Championship clashing with the February FIFA international window, Häuptle confirmed difficult but strategic decisions had to be made.

“Basically, my responsibility is the international camp, the WAFCON, to qualify for the World Cup. You always need to stay focused on the target you need to deliver.”

She explained the logistical challenge posed by the calendar.

“The COSAFA, it’s a senior tournament, but it’s colliding with the international FIFA window in February. It starts a week earlier and crosses the one week of the international window. So we are not able to send our international players.”

Rather than withdrawing, Zambia will split their resources.

“So the decision we took is, it’s a chance to, but also to participate in the COSAFA. So we will, from the big group of players we have here, we have around 40 players here, we have more than 10 internationals, we split. We take the WAFCON squad on the international window and the other part of the squad we send to COSAFA.”

Coaching arrangements for COSAFA are still being finalised.

“Then we are in discussion now on how to solve it. Either we send our local assistant coach Charles to the COSAFA or we adjust another coach there. We are still in discussions about how we can solve it.”

High-Level Games and the Dubai Plan

Häuptle stressed the importance of elite opposition in the February window, revealing plans for a high-performance tournament in Dubai.

“The international players get in the window that we can play three games on a very high level. So in my planning, I outline the tournament in Dubai where we need to prove ourselves against the top 30 nations.”

“And in Dubai we can face this height of opponents or the strength of opponents. And we need it to be that good.”

At the same time, COSAFA will serve as a development platform for local-based players.

“And then we have besides for the COSAFA, the other part of the local players which can improve there, also prove themselves. In case we have an injury, we can also switch over a player. So that’s how we’re going.”

Extensive Local Scouting

Häuptle also highlighted the depth of Zambia’s local scouting process, underlining her personal commitment to talent identification.

“So Coach Nora watched over 30 games of the local league last year and I’m here and then I usually watch on a weekend easily three, four games.”

“So from this local player I saw every player in three games last year. That’s quite a good frequency I would say.”

That work is supported by assistant coach Charles, providing consistent evaluation.

“Besides I also need to monitor the international players of course. And then a second opinion, we have also coach Charles, you know, who is with the Green Buffaloes and faces all the teams twice per year. So basically we check the players five times per year. I think that’s a very good outcome.”

A Demanding WAFCON Group

Zambia have been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi, a challenge Häuptle embraces with clarity and confidence.

“The draw gave us a strong group. We will start against Egypt, then we face Nigeria, then our neighbours Malawi.”

She insists preparation will go beyond focusing on Nigeria alone.

“But for me it’s not only to prepare against Nigeria, it’s not our only opponent, it’s of course an opponent we need to be able to beat when we want to achieve a semi-final, we qualify for the World Cup and we aim to win this tournament, you know.”

“So if you ask me if we have the players, yes we do, we have a squad.”

The lessons from Zambia’s historic 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in Australia and New Zealand are shaping the current approach.

“The learnings we took also from last summer, that we need to be tactical, a bit more flexible.”

“You know what I outlined before, that we need to get more stable in defending. And I think we work on a smart plan to challenge them.”

She is clear that adaptability will be key.

“Egypt is a very different opponent than Nigeria and also our neighbours Malawi, which work more on transition. Those three football-wise are completely different games. And we need to have answers for all the levels, tactics of the opponent we face.”

“So there we get a bit more, how do you say in English, versatile, a bit more flexible, yes.”

Fitness, Injuries and Player Monitoring

Häuptle also provided an update on player availability, particularly among overseas-based stars.

“And then on the second hand it’s always to have players which are good in shape, which are in good health.”

“We know the top players are in the US in the pre-season. I hope they get real there. I know I’m with Barbra and Rudy (Rachel Kundananji ) in regular contact.”

“Chanda left for Mexico. So the Turkish-Chinese players do well. So from the international players, we have a good response.”

However, injuries remain a concern.

“Unfortunately, still Frudah Mukoma is out with ACL and Ochumba. Yeah, this is hurting us.”

Locally, only one issue is unresolved.

“Then here on the local camp… Everybody reported in good health. The only one we miss at the moment is Mary Wilombe. She was also a starter. And at the moment we wait for proper feedback from Red Arrows concerning her situation.”

Three Clear Steps to Morocco

As the Copper Queens break camp, Häuptle insists the pathway to Morocco is already clearly mapped out.

“So basically we outlined three steps to Afcon. First it’s the local pre-camp. having to do a proper selection.”

“The second step it’s the international window in February where we need to have Games in high-performance games to prepare us Tactically and physically for the WAFCON.”

The Dubai plan remains central — and non-negotiable.

“I outlined the tournament in Dubai because it’s a good mixture there. We have Top 35 teams. We have two African teams. We can influence who we play to arrange a bit the setting which we will face at WAFCON in the group stage.”

“So far, it’s not approved. So we wait for the approval of the finances and I really demand these games. We need it to be prepared and there we can not compromise.”