Head Coach of Zambia Women’s Football Team Investigated For Sexual Misconduct

Zambia women's national team coach Bruce Mwape has been accused of sexual assault and reportedly sleeps with many players of the football team according to an unnamed player who recently reached out to UK newspaper The Guardian.

Since being hired as Head Coach in May 2018, Mwape has assisted Zambia in making its first World Cup qualifying appearance. Mwape is also due to attend this month’s Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

It is this success that an anonymous source told the Guardian that protects Mwape; they commented that “The federation is turning a blind eye because the women have had good results.”

Additionally, the source said that “If he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes” and that players “are being threatened with punitive action if they dare say anything” about Mwape’s misconduct.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said in September 2022 that it requested FIFA to conduct a review into claims of sexual abuse in women's football. It is asserted that Mwape and the under-17 coach Kaluba Kangwa were among the FAZ workers under investigation.

However, in light of these recent allegations, the FAZ has opened an investigation and contacted the Zambian Police and stakeholders, demonstrating the gravity of these claims.

Andrew Kamanga, FAZ’s president, stated “We prefer that an independent body such as Fifa which has the capacity to do it will be able to handle the inquiries”, stressing the importance of not “taking sides”.

Mwape has publicly denied the allegations, yet FIFA has not published the findings of their inquiry, withholding information until the ethics committee has reached a decision.

Photo: Getty Images