Copper Queens Honour Late Coach Bruce Mwape During WAFCON Opener

RABAT, Morocco — Zambia’s Copper Queens paid a moving tribute to their late former coach Bruce Mwape during the first half of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C opener against Egypt.

The players displayed a Kopa shirt bearing the late coach’s portrait as they took a 1-0 lead into the break, courtesy of Racheal Nachula’s 25th-minute penalty.

Mwape, who guided the Copper Queens from 2018 to 2025, passed away on 9 July 2026 after a short illness. Under his leadership, Zambia achieved historic milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2022 WAFCON, qualification for consecutive Olympic Games, and a first-ever appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The emotional gesture came as the Copper Queens began their campaign in Morocco with a strong first-half performance against Egypt.