Former Zambia National Team coach Colonel Brightwell Banda has died.
Banda, 75, died at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka Friday morning.
In 1976, Banda became the first indigenous Zambia coach after taking over from Croatian coach Ante Buselic before signing a three-year full-time contract nine years later.
After being part of the bronze medal winning technical bench at the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Banda won the (Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations) CECAFA Challenge in 1984 that got him promotion to full Colonel from Lieutenant Colonel in the Zambia Army.
FAZ general secretary said the Association commiserated with the football family on the loss of Banda, who until his death was serving as a member of the FAZ Technical Committee.
“The Football Association of Zambia wishes to express its condolences to the family and friends of Colonel Brightwell Banda. His death is a huge loss to the nation as Colonel Banda was a great mentor of his time, and one who dedicated his time to serving football at all levels,” Kashala said.
“Colonel Banda was a very passionate coach and leader who always supported the development of football throughout the country and the football family will remember his various accomplishments achieved while playing and managing the game.”
The funeral is being held in Shimabala.
