Black Queens Face Uncertain Future as Nora Hauptle Considers Zambia Switch
The Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, find themselves at a pivotal moment as their head coach, Swiss UEFA Pro License holder Nora Hauptle, reportedly contemplates a move to coach Zambia’s Copper Queens. Hauptle’s potential departure could undo much of the progress she has achieved in revitalizing the team and setting it on a path toward success.
Hauptle’s tenure with the Black Queens began as a technical advisor, assisting Ben Fokuo during the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. Though the team didn’t advance beyond the group stage, her efforts earned her the head coach position following Mercy Tagoe’s dismissal after failing to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 Women’s World Cup. At the time, the team was mired in instability, plagued by managerial crises, and struggling with morale and performance.
Hauptle brought a renewed sense of purpose, symbolized by her “Mission Volta” initiative, which she described as a turning point for Ghana’s women’s football. Under her leadership, the Black Queens found their identity, winning their first four matches against Benin, Senegal, and Guinea without conceding a single goal. Over 11 matches, the team achieved 10 victories, scored 34 goals, and conceded only two, narrowly missing out on Olympic qualification after a loss to Zambia.
Despite the progress, systemic issues within Ghana’s women’s football remained unresolved. Before the final Olympic qualifiers, the team protested over unpaid allowances, highlighting a long history of neglect. Hauptle backed her players, marking a significant moment in the fight for equity in women’s football.
However, a lack of consistent support from football authorities has become a major obstacle. While other African nations like South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco played over 10 matches in 2024, the Black Queens played only three due to budget constraints. Plans for additional friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia were scrapped after the $40,000 budget was not approved.
Hauptle voiced her frustration in a LinkedIn post, emphasizing the importance of regular high-performance matches for the team’s development. “Success is built over continuous development steps. Providing as [a] national team for our players as many high-performance game exposures as possible is key,” she wrote.
With Hauptle’s contract expiring this month, negotiations for renewal have reportedly stalled, and she has rejected a new offer from the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Her potential move to Zambia comes amid frustrations over limited resources and lack of institutional support for women’s football in Ghana.
Hauptle’s departure would pose a monumental challenge to sustaining the progress the Black Queens have made. While she is not irreplaceable, the next coach will require substantial investment to maintain the team’s momentum. If the GFA fails to provide the necessary support, the progress achieved under Hauptle risks being undone, leaving the players and fans disheartened ahead of Morocco 2025.
As Ghana’s women footballers continue to strive for excellence despite systemic barriers, it is imperative for the authorities to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain. The fate of the Black Queens now hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive action from those in power.
