Former Copper Queens Coach Bruce Mwape Dies at 67

Reports reaching Diamond Tv indicate that Former Copper Queens head coach Bruce Mwape has died at 67, following a short illness.

Mwape transformed Zambia’s women’s football into a continental and global powerhouse during his tenure.

He guided the Copper Queens to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, a historic first for the nation. His teams also qualified for consecutive Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, making them the first Zambian football outfit to reach the Games twice.

The coach secured a bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia’s best continental performance, which cemented World Cup qualification.

He was instrumental in developing star players including Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda and Racheal Kundananji.

Last year, Mwape was awarded the President’s Insignia of meritorious achievement for his contributions towards the development of women’s football in Zambia.

The Zambian FA is yet to issue a statement on his demise.