Nora Hauptle, the former head coach of Ghana’s senior women’s football team, the Black Queens, has revealed why she chose not to renew her contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after it expired on December 31, 2024.

Hauptle, who took charge of the Black Queens in 2023, made a significant impact by leading the team to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. This was a major accomplishment, as it marked Ghana’s return to the tournament after missing out since 2018.

Speaking to Swiss media outlet 20 Minutes, Hauptle reflected on her decision, citing unresolved issues during her contract renewal discussions with the GFA.

“It wasn’t easy to give up the project,” she said. “My contract was running out at the end of the year, and we had discussions. But there were a few pieces of the puzzle that were not clear, which were relevant to my success.”

She further explained that while she respected the GFA, there were certain non-negotiable elements that influenced her decision. “Nothing happened; we are parting on good terms and with a lot of respect for each other,” Hauptle added.

Following her exit from the Black Queens, Hauptle has taken up a new challenge as the head coach of Zambia’s national women’s football team, the Copper Queens. She will guide Zambia in this year’s WAFCON, where they are grouped with Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo in Group A.

Hauptle’s departure leaves a legacy of progress for Ghana’s women’s football, even as she embarks on a new chapter with Zambia.