Zambia’s coach, Bruce Mwape, has been accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players two days before his country’s historic victory over Costa Rica in their final match at the Women’s World Cup.
Fifa has confirmed it received an official complaint about the alleged incident after Zambia claimed their first win at a World Cup on Monday in New Zealand. Before the tournament the Guardian revealed Mwape was the subject of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
According to a source close to the squad, several players saw Mwape rubbing his hands over the chest of one of their teammates last Friday after training. “It’s not appropriate for a coach to be touching a player’s breasts,” said the source.
Witnesses are understood to have discussed reporting the incident immediately but decided to wait until after their campaign had been completed over fears that they would not be selected for unsettling the team. Zambia had already been eliminated after 5-0 defeats by Spain and Japan but finished third in the group after the 3-1 victory over Costa Rica.
It is understood the allegation against Mwape was reported to a Fifa delegate who has been with the squad throughout their stay in New Zealand. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president, Andrew Kamanga, is believed to be aware of the incident.
Fifa has said it is “investigating the matter” and that Mwape has been “suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The alleged incident has cast a shadow over Zambia’s historic achievement in reaching the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup for the first time. The team’s victory over Costa Rica was their first win at a World Cup and their first ever win against a Concacaf opponent.
Mwape has been Zambia’s coach since 2018 and has led the team to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2018 and 2022. He is also the coach of the men’s national team.
The allegations against Mwape are serious and if they are proven, he could face disciplinary action from Fifa, including a ban from coaching.
