Former Namibian soccer coach Ben Bamfuchile passed on in the northern Zambian town of Kitwe on Thursday evening, December 27.
Lusakatimes.com reports:
47-year old Ben Bamfuchile had been admitted at Poly Clinic in Nkana West Township over two weeks ago, but finally passed away on Thursday evening. According to Lusakatimes.com, the highly respected coach died at exactly 22:15PM local time at the Clinic.
Before his death, the coach had successfully guided the Warriors of Namibia to only their second African Nations Cup appearance since their 1998 debut.
But some confusing circumstances resulted in his resigning from the Job and returning to his native Zambia earlier this month.
Bamfuchile began his career in football with Zambian top club side Nkana FC in 1977; he later became the club's assistant coach whilst still playing from the late 1980รข??s, before becoming the full-time coach in 1993.
At the 1994 African Nations Cup in Tunisia, Bamfuchile was assistant to late Scottish-born manager Ian Porterfield, who was in charge of Zambia. The team made it all the way to the final in that tournament, but lost the trophy narrowly to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
He then handled South African top-flight club Amazulu for a brief period of six months, before returning back to Zambia in 2001 to take charge at Power Dynamos.
He became Zambian head coach in 1999 when German-born coach Bukhard Ziese left the Chipolopolo job in the middle of the qualifiers for Ghana/Nigeria 2000 Nations Cup.
The team was undefeated in the six Group 6 qualifying games they played under Bamfuchile in their run to that tournament. However, the squad put in a dismal performance at the tournament proper and the manager was sacked afterwards. He later returned as assistant to coach Kalusha Bwalya three years later before moving on to Namibia.
Paying tribute to the late coach was President of the Football Association of Zambia, Teddy Mulonga.
"The association has lost a dedicated professional and a true patriot," Mulonga said.
"He was true to his faith and delivered the results. Ben was an achiever of the highest order.
"One of the memorable moments was in 2000, when he qualified Zambia to the Nations Cup finals without a loss and with the highest points in all qualifying groups."
Bamfuchile leaves behind a wife, Tina Bamfuchile, and six children.
His funeral is expected to be heldat his Nkana East home, but burial arrangements will be formally announced later according to family sources.