Haalubono takes interim charge as Copper Queens begin COSAFA title defence

Assistant coach Charles Haalubono will lead Zambia's Copper Queens into the opening stages of the 2026 COSAFA Senior Women's Championship as the defending champions begin their campaign without head coach Nora Häuptle.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed on Monday that Haalubono has travelled with the squad to South Africa and will take charge of the technical bench during the early rounds of the regional tournament.

FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande moved to reassure fans that Häuptle remains firmly in charge of the national women's team, explaining that the Swiss-born coach had been fully involved in selecting the squad before returning to her home base to attend to a separate assignment.

"Nora is the head coach and she selected the team for this year's regional tournament. She travelled back to her home base to attend to an assignment and will join the team once she completes it," Shepande said.

Häuptle is expected to link up with the Copper Queens in South Africa once she has concluded her commitments, taking over from Haalubono for the latter stages of the competition.

Zambia head into the tournament as defending champions and among the favourites to claim another regional title. The Copper Queens have established themselves as one of the leading women's football nations in southern Africa under Häuptle's stewardship, and the team will be expected to mount a strong challenge regardless of the temporary coaching arrangement during the group phase.