Former Chipolopolo and Green Eagles striker Tapson Kaseba has died after a short illness in Lusaka. He passed away on Thursday at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) around 17:00, his family has confirmed.
Kaseba, 33, was initially admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital before being discharged, only to be re-admitted to UTH, where he spent his final days.
The striker is best remembered for helping Zambia lift the 2019 COSAFA Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer and was named Man of the Match in the final against Botswana in which he scored the only goal to help the Aggrey Chiyangi-led Chipolopolo side win the tournament for the fifth time. He also captained Green Eagles and earned admiration for his discipline on and off the pitch. In 2017, he finished the MTN Super League season as the second top scorer with 18 goals.
Kaseba’s football journey began in Livingstone with Sunchster (2010) and Southern Reeds United (2011–12), before moving to Kansanshi Dynamos in Solwezi (2012–13). He later featured for Lime Hotspurs (2013–14), Konkola Blades (2014–15), and Green Eagles (2015–20). His career also included stints with NAPSA Stars (2020–22), Buildcon (2022–23), and Kabwe Warriors (2023–24), before returning to Green Eagles in 2025, where he was released ahead of the current campaign. He is survived by his wife and six children.
FAZ, GOVT Mourn Kaseba
The football fraternity has joined his family in mourning, with Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba describing his passing as a “deep shock.”
“We are saddened by the death of Tapson Kaseba whom we knew as a former national team player and many clubs in our league. Our thoughts are with his family,” Mweemba said.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis C. Nkandu, MP, also expressed “deep sadness” at Kaseba’s passing and conveyed condolences to his family, teammates, and the football community.
“The Government stands with his loved ones and the wider football community during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” read the statement in part.
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