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Former Copper Queens coach Bruce Mwape has died at the age of 65, the Football Association of Zambia has announced.
Mwape, 67, died at Nchanga South Mine Hospital in Chingola District on the Copperbelt Province after a brief illness.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, FAZ President, Keith Mweemba, described Mwape’s death as 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,” Mweemba said.
He said everyone recognized Mwape’s contribution to the game, especially his reign as Copper Queens coach where he took the team to great heights.
Here are seven key facts about Bruce Mwape
1. Mwape was appointed Copper Queens coach in 2018 and qualified the Copper Queens to a record three WAFCON tournaments (2018, 2022, 2024 played in 2025).
2. He took the Copper Queens to back-to-back Olympics (Tokyo 2020&Paris 2024), WAFCON bronze in 2022 and the first ever FIFA World Cup appearance in Australia/New Zealand.”
3. His took Zambia to back-to-back Olympics (Tokyo 2020&Paris 2024) and a historic FIFA World Cup in 2023.
4. Mwape also previously served as Under-17 Men’s National Team coach in 2015.
5. In July 2023, allegations of sexual misconduct against Mwape surfaced, however he denied the accusations.
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The allegations, reported by The Guardian, accuse the coach of inappropriate behavior towards one of the players before Zambia’s Women’s World Cup match against Costa Rica.
Football Association of Zambia stated that they have not received any complaint from players or officials.
6. In May 2024, Mwape was again accused of sexual assault, this time on a FIFA employee during the World Cup.
7. In July 2024, he was banned from private contact with his players at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Mweemba said FAZ would give full details in due course but indicated that secretariat is in touch with the family in Chingola.
“It is a day of great loss, but Mwape leaves a great legacy,” Mwemba concluded.
Meanwhile, Mwape’s son Chikonde said his father suffered a suspected stroke on Tuesday last week and was later hospitalised leading to his eventual death.
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