Zambia captain Barbra Banda has expressed her grief over the death of former Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape.
Mwape, 67, died on Thursday morning at Nchanga South Mine Hospital in Chingola after an illness.
Banda has branded the death of Mwape as heartbreaking.
Mwape coached the senior Zambia women’s team from 2018 to 2024.
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Coach Bruce Mwape,” Banda wrote on her official face-book page.
“Thank you, Coach, for believing in me, helping me grow as a player, and trusting me with the honour of leading the Copper Queens. You played a huge role in my career and shaped me into the leader I am today,” she wrote.
Mwape took Zambia to back-to-back Olympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and qualified the Queens to the FIFA World Cup in 2023.
“Your guidance, belief, and dedication to Zambian football will never be forgotten. Rest well, Coach. My heartfelt condolences to your family and the entire country as we mourn this great loss.
Mwape guided Zambia to winning bronze at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco.
Zambia keeper Hazel Nali said:” You have left us broken coach. Thank you for everything. May God receive you.”
Mwape led Zambia to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
He was an experienced trainer who coached Nchanga Rangers, Roan United, Indeni and Konkola Mine Police.
Mwape was named as the Best Women’s national coach in Africa in 2021.
He won the 1998 Super League with Nchanga as an assistant coach to Fordson Kabole.
Mwape is a former Nchanga player.
