He was a Zambia international football midfielder and manager
Born in Northern Rhodesia, Phiri played club football for local side Nchanga Rangers F.C. for nearly fifteen years
Phiri made several appearances for the senior Zambia national football team, including eleven FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and played at 1974
After retiring from playing football in 1983, Phiri became a coach. He was appointed a manager of Nchanga Rangers F.C. in 1984
Born to policeman Mulimakwenda Phiri
Willie Phiri’s father hoped for better ambitions for his first-born son and supported his education more than a fledgeling soccer career
If anything Phiri senior opposed his sons love for the global game seeing it as more of a distraction towards attaining a better and secure future
However, it was Phiri seniors friend Damiano Mutale who betrayed him and subsequently unearthed one of Zambia’s best ever midfield players
In January 1993 Phiri got involved in a road traffic accident that left him wheelchair bound.
Willie Phiri was survived by wife Alice Ivy Phiri and five children, two boys Willie Phiri Jnr and Fumbani Phiri and three girls Michelle Phiri-Kazala, Tracy Phiri-Bath and Karen Phiri