Black Queens: GFA confirms Nora Hauptle’s exit after failed contract extension talks

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially confirmed the departure of Nora Hauptle as head coach of the Black Queens following unsuccessful contract renewal negotiations.

Hauptle’s initial two-year contract, which expired on 31st December 2024, could not be extended after both parties failed to reach an agreement on new terms.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 4th January 2025, the GFA expressed appreciation for Hauptle’s contributions to the senior national female football team, stating:

The GFA wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Nora Hauptle for her service to the Black Queens and Ghana Women's Football.

For the two years that Nora Hauptle worked with the Black Queens, her salary and accommodation were solely taken care of by the GFA.

The GFA, desirous of continuing the engagement with Nora, opened renewal talks with her in June 2024, knowing that her contract would be ending on 31st December 2024. The GFA presented Nora with a significantly enhanced salary and working proposition. Unfortunately, both parties could not agree on the renewal terms.

Hauptle’s exit comes as a major setback for the Black Queens, especially with just six months until the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The GFA, however, has assured fans that a new head coach will be appointed shortly.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially appointed Hauptle as the new head coach of the Copper Queens on a three-year deal.

A statement from FAZ highlighted Hauptle’s coaching credentials, stating:

The new Copper Queens coach had a distinguished career as a defender in Europe and represented Switzerland at international level before retiring in 2009.

She took up coaching and notably drilled SC Sand in the German Frauen-Bundesliga, in 2020, where she was, at the time, the only female coach in the league. Hauptle left SC Sand in 2021 before being appointed Black Queens coach in 2022.

Hauptle is expected to be officially unveiled by Zambia in the coming days.

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