Copper Queens head coach, Nora Hauptle, has expressed strong confidence and ambition as Zambia prepares to face Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The highly anticipated encounter is set to take place at the Labri Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday, with a coveted semi-final slot at stake.
Hauptle, visibly upbeat about her team’s journey so far, emphasized the importance of reaching this stage of the tournament and described the match as one worthy of a final.
“We are excited to enter the knockout stage. It feels like a final already, Zambia against Nigeria, I think for all of us, I hope it’s going to be an entertaining game,” the Swiss tactician said during a pre-match press conference.
While acknowledging the Super Falcons’ historic success in the tournament, Hauptle was quick to make it clear that Zambia is undaunted by their opponent’s illustrious record.
“Of course, we are here to hunt. We respect that Nigeria is a several-time winner of this tournament. I think they are the favourites in this game, but I can assure you that my team is very hungry; we are here to hunt,” she declared boldly.
Zambia’s thrilling attacking style has been one of the talking points of the tournament, but the team has also conceded four goals so far, something Hauptle is looking to tighten as they gear up for the formidable Nigerians.
Reflecting on their defensive efforts, she said: “Our evolution from the group stage was very good defensively wise. We conceded set pieces, two penalties, and [two] goals out of open play. I think in the third game we kept a clean sheet. We are working on unity in defence, the compactness,because we know that with Nigeria, we don’t have to allow them,” she stated.
“So we have to keep the initiative defense wise where we want to conquer the balls and win the balls. I am very proud of my team and how we’ve developed in this area.”
Zambia will now aim to channel their attacking flair and improved defensive discipline as they lock horns with one of the continent’s most decorated sides.
