Mwape laid to rest in Chingola

Former Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape was on Sunday afternoon interred at Chingola Central Cemetery following a funeral service at Nchanga Stadium. ‎ ‎Mwape, 67, died on Thursday morning at Nchanga South Mine Hospital in Chingola after an illness. ‎ ‎Football Association of…

Former Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape was on Sunday afternoon interred at Chingola Central Cemetery following a funeral service at Nchanga Stadium.
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‎Mwape, 67, died on Thursday morning at Nchanga South Mine Hospital in Chingola after an illness.
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‎Football Association of Zambia President Keith Mweemba said the late coach’s legacy should inspire local coaches to take the national flag higher.
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‎Mweemba hailed Mwape for leading the Copper Queens to two Olympics and a World Cup, and challenged the team to win the WAFCON title in his honour.
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‎“To the football community, Coach Mwape was an icon who brought a lot of joy and respectability to the women’s game. Part of the unparalleled following that the women’s game is enjoying today is down to the work put in by Coach Mwape,” he said.
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‎“We know that a WAFCON trophy and World Cup qualification will be a befitting honour to Coach Mwape,” Mweemba added.
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‎Dignitaries present included Chipolopolo coach George Lwandamina, former Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe, National Sports Council of Zambia CEO Sombwa Musunsa, FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya, and FAZ Exco members.
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‎Mwape coached the senior Zambia women’s team from 2018 to 2024. He took the Copper Queens to back-to-back Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and to a historic first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
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‎He also guided Zambia to a bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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‎At club level, the experienced trainer coached Nchanga Rangers, Roan United, Indeni and Konkola Mine Police.

He was also a former Nchanga player and won the 1998 Super League title with the club as assistant to Fordson Kabole.
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‎Mwape was named CAF Best Women’s National Coach in Africa in 2021.