By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Zambia Women’s national team coach Nora Hauptles’ second half absence from the bench of Wednesday’s 2026 WAFCON qualifier away against Namibia was reportedly due to an administrative issue.
Hauptle was initially on the bench during the first half of Zambia’s 4-2 victory over Namibia at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg in a 2026 WAFCON qualifiers final stage, first leg match.
But the Swiss-born coach was absent for the second half and TV footage showed her following proceedings from the stands with one of her assistant coaches.
Assistant coach Charles Halubono took charge of the last 45 minutes of the match with Zambia leading two-nil at halftime.
A source told Revelation Sports yesterday that Hauptle could not continue with her bench duties on the night due to some official paperwork.
“Apparently, CAF sent Nora to the stands after establishing that her UEFA Coaching licence had expired,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, FAZ, through a brief media communique could only state that Hauptle would be available this Sunday when Zambia hosts Namibia in the final leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“Kindly note that the issue was beyond the media officer who alerted our office in good time to intervene. However, we were made aware of the technicalities on the ground that made it impossible to undertake the obligatory media engagements. We regret the inconvenience but will avail the coach for the media engagements preceding the home game…, ” FAZ stated.
Meanwhile, Zambia secured their away win thanks to a Rachael Kundananji hat-trick.
Her namesake Rachael Nachula scored Zambia’s second goal in the 16th minute after Kundananji put them in the lead four minutes earlier.
Namibia were on target in the 52nd minute through Ivone Kooper and they won a 58th minute penalty that was converted by Zenatha Coleman.
