Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle has downplayed Zambia’s 1-0 defeat to Algeria, insisting fatigue and long-haul travel played a significant role as the team prepares for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Zambia suffered a narrow loss in their final warm-up fixture ahead of the continental tournament, but Häuptle believes the performance must be viewed in the context of the challenging circumstances surrounding the squad’s preparations.
The Swiss coach revealed that several of the team’s overseas-based players only arrived in Algeria a day before the match after enduring journeys lasting up to 25 hours, leaving them physically drained and unable to train before kickoff.
“The best thing I think today is that all the players are in good health after the game,” Häuptle said.
“It was, for us, a limbo because our foreign-based players arrived yesterday with jet lag and high fatigue from twenty-five-hour flights.”
She explained that the coaching staff had no option but to field players who had not trained with the team, limiting their involvement to one half of football.
“They did not train yesterday; we just brought them onto the pitch without training, and we said, ‘Okay, we give them a halftime.’ I would say in the first half we created two or three good chances. We hit the crossbar twice. I think we should have gone into halftime leading 3-0 or at least 3-1.”
Despite the disappointing result, Häuptle remains confident the Copper Queens will be ready for their tournament opener once the squad has fully recovered.
“Now it’s about recovery with everybody and getting the focus to Egypt. It will be quite similar opposition that we face.”
The Zambia coach ended with a reassuring message to supporters, insisting the team remains fully focused on its objectives in Morocco.
“Don’t worry, Copper Queens are on a mission—and a mission to work.”
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will run from 25 July to 16 August, with Zambia aiming to make a strong start in their opening Group C fixture against Egypt.
