Almost a week to the opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and Zambia are embroiled in a scandal involving head coach Bruce Mwape.
The Guardian reported that Zambia Football Association (FAZ) are investigating Mwape for sexual misconduct and the matter has been referred to FIFA and local police.
An unnamed player in the Copper Queens’ set-up told the Guardian: “If he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes. “It’s normal that the coach sleeps with the players in our team.”
Mwape has been at the helm of the Zambia women’s team since 2018 and he guided the country to win bronze at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that secured their maiden qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, captain Barbra Banda declined to comment on the allegations levelled against Mwape after the team arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday for Mundial.
“I am not in the position of answering that because I am just a player, my job is to be on the pitch,” Banda told reporters.
Zambia FA are yet to comment of the reports while FIFA Ethics Committee do not disclose whether an investigation is going on or not.
Zambia are in Group C of the Women’s World Cup against Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.
