Banda Mourns Willie Phiri

4 June 2011

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has expressed shock at the death of former Zambia and Nchanga Rangers midfield maestro, Willie Phiri, describing him as irreplaceable.

The president said Phiri, who died on Thursday in Chingola, was an outstanding and creative midfielder, whose class has been difficult to reproduce.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere yesterday, President Banda said Phiri, a defensive midfielder at the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations finals where Zambia finished second to then Zaire (DR Congo), would be remembered for his enduring devotion to the game even after breaking his spine in an accident in 1993.

“I want to express deepest sympathy towards the widow and family, and indeed towards the entire football fraternity in Zambia. I appeal for prayers for the bereaved family. Willie Phiri will always be remembered for his enduring devotion to the game even after breaking his spine in an accident in 1993,” the president, who is a FAZ life member, said.

And Phiri who died at Nchanga South Hospital, will be buried on Monday in Chingola. Meanwhile, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) management has expressed sadness at the death of Phiri.

KCM chief executive officer, Jeyakumar Janakaraj said in a Press statement yesterday that the mining firm learnt with great sadness the death of Phiri, who died at Nchanga South Hospital.

Janakaraj described Phiri as one of the greatest players and coaches Zambia had ever produced.

He said the death of Phiri had left a huge gap in the football family in Zambia and appealed to the bereaved family to look up to God for strength and guidance during this trying moment.

“KCM therefore extends its deep condolences to the widow, the children, family and the entire football fraternity over the death of one of the greatest players and coaches Zambia ever produced.

His death has left a huge gap in the football family in this country,” Janakaraj said. Phiri, 57, who was confined to a wheelchair since 1993 after breaking his spinal cord in a road accident, died after an illness on Thursday after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday.

And family spokesperson and Rangers team manager, Patrick Nkhata said the burial programme has been scheduled for Monday and will await the arrival of Phiri’s children who live abroad.

He said church service would be held at St. Marks United Church of Zambia and thereafter burial at Chingola Central Cemetery.

Phiri was a member of the national soccer team that played in the Africa Cup final against the then Zaire in 1974 in which Zambia subsequently lost. He is survived by a wife Alice and six children, Willie junior, Michel, Manasseh, Fumbani (Ian), Tracy and Karen. Funeral is being held at House number 73, 8th Street.

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