BRUCE MWAPE DIES

…Zambia mourns Africa’s top coach Mwape

By BENEDICT TEMBO

COACH Bruce Mwape, the doyen of African women’s football, has died aged 67.

Mwape’s litany of achievements include qualification for the World Cup, Olympics and Africa Cup, making him one of Africa’s most successful coaches.

His death yesterday at Nchanga South Mine Hospital in Chingola after an illness has sparked an outpouring of emotions from the football administration hierarchy and fandom.

Mwape’s son Chikonde said the patriarchal figure suffered a suspected stroke on Tuesday last week and was later hospitalised leading to his eventual death.

The former Copper Queens coach is credited for transforming women’s football forever. It was under his watch that women’s football made significant progress.

He guided the team to three Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2018, 2022, and 2024.

Mwape won the WAFCON bronze in 2022, guided the Copper Queens to back-to-back Olympic qualifications at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 and secured a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2023.

Mwape, a former Nchanga Rangers winger, also previously served as Under-17 men’s national team coach in 2015.

The tactician’s monumental achievements included Zambia defying odds to beat Cameroon to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Other famous wins were over Germany and Nigeria.

His work ethic gave hope to a generation of young girls like Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji and Grace Chanda who headlined a squad that made history by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has expressed sadness at the death of Mwape.

FAZ president Keith Mweemba said Mwape’s death is a great loss to the Zambian football family.

“The death of coach Mwape is a huge shock to the football family and the nation as a whole. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and can only wish them God’s strength at this hour,” says Mweemba.

Mwape’s successor at Copper Queens Nora Häuptle has expressed remorse on his passing on.

“My sincere condolences for the passing of Bruce Mwape. My heart goes out to his family and wishing them peace and comfort during this difficult time of grieve,” Häuptle said.

And former Nchanga Rangers team manager Patrick Nkhata said he is devastated by Mwape’s death.

Konkola Mine Police Football (KMP) Club joined the soccer fraternity in mourning the passing of Mwape.

“Bruce was an outstanding football man whose dedication, leadership and passion left a lasting mark on our club.

During his time at Konkola Mine Police, he guided the team through one of its most memorable seasons, earning the respect and admiration of players, officials and supporters alike,” KMP chairman Gideon Mwenya said.

Ends.