FAZ mourns Texan Phiri

MUKWIMA CHILALA writes  THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has paid glowing tribute to late former Green Buffaloes and Profound Warriors star Texan Phiri who died on Wednesday. According to a statement by FAZ communication officer Sydney Mungala, the association had learnt with deep shock the death of the former Green Buffaloes and Profound Warriors. Phiri carved a respectable coaching career in his post-playing days that took him to Eswatini and Botswana before trekking back home in 2019. In his playing career, Phiri starred for Green Buffaloes from 1975 to 1980 winning three league titles before joining Profound Warriors where he stayed until 1989 Prior to crossing the borders, Phiri coached National Provident Fund Football Club and Bank of Zambia. He went to Swaziland in 1990 where he coached a number of clubs among them Eleven Men in Flight, Malachi Chiefs, Ubombo Ranches FC, Big Ben Fliers, Royal Leopards, Young Green Buffaloes and Tambuti FC. In 2014 he went to Botswana where he coached Ecco City Greens FC before returning home in March 2019. Phiri settled in Livingstone and was coaching FAZ Division One Southern Province side Eastlands Football Academy. He is survived by one child, four grandchildren and his wife Prisca. FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said Football had been robbed of a great personality whose contribution to the game spoke for itself.  Kashala said Phiri was a football ambassador who spread his talents beyond the borders. The funeral is being held in Maramba Township in Livingstone. The Sun