Former Copper Queens coach has been put to rest. Mwape was laid to rest on Sunday morning in Chingola.
Mwape who died on Thursday morning following a short illness was put to rest after a church service held at Nchanga Stadium.
The Government was represented by Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Mr. Kangwa Chileshe.
Mr. Chileshe conveyed President Hakainde Hichilema’s message of condolences to Mrs. Mwape and the Mwape family, following the passing of the football coach who made a significant contribution to the development of women’s football in Zambia.
The Permanent Secretary is in the company of Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Director of Sport Mr. Gibson Muyaule, National Sports Council of Zambia Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sombwa Musunsa, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Mr. Keith Mweemba, FAZ General Secretary Mr. Charles Chakatazya, among other senior government officials and football stakeholders.
President Hichilema in a statement read on his behalf by Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe described Coach Bruce Mwape as a true patriot, a visionary leader, and a humble servant of Zambian football.
“Coach Bruce Mwape devoted decades of his life to the beautiful game, championing women’s football at a time when its potential was still waiting to be fully recognized. With unwavering commitment, steadfast discipline, and exceptional technical insight, he transformed the Copper Queens into a symbol of resilience and excellence—not only across Africa, but on the world stage,” He said.
“Under his guidance, the team achieved what once seemed impossible: historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, consecutive appearances at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and a proud bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. These were not merely victories; they were milestones that redefined ambition for every young girl with a football at her feet.”
Meanwhile FAZ President Keith Mweemba described Mwape as a football icon whose contribution helped transform the women’s game in Zambia.
Speaking at Mwape’s funeral service held at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola on Sunday, Mweemba said the coach touched many lives through his work as both a player and a coach.
He said the loss of Mwape was deeply felt by the football family, but the greatest pain remained with his immediate family.
Mweemba said Mwape’s time in charge of the Copper Queens from 2018 marked a turning point for women’s football in Zambia.
The FAZ President credited the late coach with guiding the team to historic achievements, including back-to-back Olympic appearances in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
He also highlighted Mwape’s role in leading Zambia to its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
Mweemba added that the coach also helped the Copper Queens win a WAFCON bronze medal and Zambia’s first COSAFA Women’s Championship title in 2022.
“Part of the unparalleled following that the women’s game is enjoying today is down to the work put in by coach Mwape,” Mweemba said.
“As we mourn coach Mwape, we cannot help but reflect on the respectability he brought to the local coaching fraternity,” he added.
COACH BRUCE MWAPE COPPER QUEENS LEGACY
2018 – Appointed Copper Queens Head Coach. Took charge of the senior women’s national team in May 2018.
Guided Zambia to the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, laying the foundation for the team’s future success. group stage exit but won their first ever game at the tournament beating Equatorial Guinea , 5-0.
2020 (played in 2021) – Qualified Zambia for the Olympic Games
Led the Copper Queens to their first-ever qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics, making Zambia one of the first Southern African nations to compete in the women’s Olympic football tournament.
2022 – Won Zambia’s First COSAFA Women’s Championship
Guided the Copper Queens to their maiden COSAFA Women’s Championship title after defeating South Africa in the final.
2022 – Historic Bronze Medal at WAFCON
Led Zambia to a third-place finish at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the country’s best-ever result at the tournament.
Defeated Nigeria in the third-place playoff.
2022 – Qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Guided the Copper Queens to their first-ever qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the WAFCON semi-finals.
2023 – Coached Zambia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Became the first Zambian coach to lead a senior national team at a FIFA World Cup.
Managed the Copper Queens in their historic debut at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Recorded a first win at the global showpiece beating Costa Rica 3-1.
2024 – Qualified for Back-to-Back Olympic Games;
Guided Zambia to a second consecutive Olympic appearance by qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics after overcoming Morocco in the qualifiers.
Made Zambia one of the few African nations to qualify for consecutive Olympic women’s football tournaments.
Bruce Mwape’s Legacy
First coach to qualify Zambia (Women’s National team) for the Olympic Games.
First coach to qualify Zambia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup (First senior World Cup, male or female ).
Won Zambia’s first COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Guided Zambia to its best-ever WAFCON finish (Bronze Medal).
