By MUKWIMA CHILALA
FORMER KK11 captain Kalusha Bwalya has extolled late founding Republican President Kenneth Kaunda for having brought a sense of togetherness in Zambia.
And Kalusha says Kaunda brought a sense of “never say die” in the KK11 as the national soccer team was affectionately called which inspired them to be winning.
Kalusha was among the invited dignitaries to the funeral service of Kaunda yesterday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and later Embassy Park in Lusaka.
The soccer icon said that the spirit of togetherness that Kaunda stood for need to be upheld.
He noted that Dr Kaunda inspired the team to always wanting to win through his never say die attitude that he brought to the team that was affectionately named after him.
“He brought a certain thought which was to win through never say die attitude and we have to win it through discipline, honour and dignity,” Kalusha said .
“I think as a Christian nation we must learn something from Dr Kaunda about Humanity, leadership, triumph and about who we are as Zambians. We shall remember his love for the country and his direction for Zambia, the eagle to soar above everything else that is significant and the spirit of bringing everybody together must be upheld especially in the times we live in.”
The Zambia National Soccer Team was from the early 1970’s until early 1990’s affectionately called the KK11 after Dr Kaunda.
Kalusha was captain of the KK11 having made his debut in 1983 against Sudan at the dag hammarskjöld Stadium in Ndola .
Among other notable former KK11 members present at the ceremony is Peter Mhango, Lewis Shambulo , Joseph Katongo John Kaunda and also Zambia Sports fans Association patron Peter Makembo.
