Zambians, Let’s Reevaluate Our Perspective
As Zambians, we pride ourselves on being passionate about football, but sometimes we contradict ourselves. Not long ago, I asked why Coach Bruce Mwape was excluded from the Women’s Coach of the Year list. Today, the Zambia Women’s National Team has also been omitted from the National Team of the Year nominees, and suddenly, the same people who criticized Bruce Mwape are asking why the team isn’t being recognized.
This raises a critical question: how do we expect our team to be celebrated as the best when we, as a nation, fail to stand behind our coach and acknowledge his contributions?
Bruce Mwape has faced heavy criticism despite leading the Copper Queens to historic achievements, including their first-ever Women’s World Cup appearance. These successes didn’t come easy, and they were a result of teamwork both from the players and the technical bench. Yet, instead of rallying behind him, we were quick to discredit his capabilities.
It’s ironic that we now question why the Women’s National Team isn’t on the list when we ourselves haven’t fully supported or appreciated the efforts of the coach and the team.
Recognition starts at home. If we, as Zambians, don’t value our own achievements, how can we expect others to? International accolades come from consistent support, acknowledgment, and constructive criticism not from tearing down the very people working hard to put us on the map.
We must learn to celebrate and support our successes without undermining the individuals behind them. Let’s take this as a lesson to be more unified in our approach to football. Whether it’s Bruce Mwape or any other coach, constructive feedback is essential, but so is respect and encouragement.
The Copper Queens’ journey is a story of perseverance, and we should all be proud of that. Let’s be a nation that uplifts our football heroes, ensuring that their efforts are recognized on every platform. Together, we can achieve greatness but only if we value what we have.
