Zambia’s first indigenous national team coach Colonel Brightwell Banda has died.
Banda, 75, died in Lusaka at Maina Soko Hospital on August 26 after a long battle with Prostate Cancer.
He was first appointed to the post in 1976 when he replaced Croat Ante Buselic, who led Zambia to the 1974 AFCON final in what was the then KK XI’s debut tournament appearance.
The trailblazing Brightwell Banda also holds the honour of being the first Zambian national coach to win an international tournament.
Banda steered Zambia to victory at the 1984 CECAFA Challenge Cup in Uganda, where they beat Malawi 3-0 on post-match penalties following a scoreless draw.
He also had two stints as an administrator when he served as a FAZ executive committee member in the 80s.
Banda later guided Zanaco to their debut league title in 2002.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, Zimbabwean midfielder Thabani Kamusoko looks set to
be unveiled as Nkana player.
The Warriors midfielder reportedly penned a one-year deal with the Zambian giants, which will see him switch from Zesco
Trust Nyambiya of TKT Sports Agency, which represents the Zimbabwe international, confirmed the deal.
Kamusoko has been training with Nkana since leaving Zesco United and impressed head coach Beston Chambeshi and his technical team.
Zesco decided against renewing the contract of Kamusoko when it expires at the end of July 2022.
The former Platinum Stars linkman joined Zesco United in 2019 from Tanzanian giants Young Africans, winning the 2020/21 league season in which he was named the most disciplined player.
The 34-year-old was part of the Zimbabwe Warriors squad that participated in the AFCON 2021 finals.
Kamusoko, one of the 2014 Castle League Soccer Star of the Year finalists, has also featured for
Dynamos in Zimbabwe.
Nkana’s next league assignment is against Bulidcon FC on Saturday at Levy Mwanawasa in the MTN Super League.
