Last Dance: Chipolopolo legends date Barcelona legends in perfect farewell match

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

Eleven years after making the country proud by winning Zambia’s only Africa Cup trophy, the 2012 AFCON heroes have united once again to give Zambians what is deemed as their last dance in today’s much anticipated exhibition match against Barcelona legends.

The match slated for Heroes Stadium in Lusaka will see Chipolopolo legends drilled by Zambian football icon Kalusha Bwalya and led by captain Christopher Katongo face a Barcelona legend squad led by World Cup winner with Brazil, Ronaldo De Assis Moreira popularly known as Ronaldinho.

The Barcelona legends squad which arrived in the fternoon yesterday also has Nigerian Gbenga Samuel Okunowo as the only African legend in the squad. Other legends include Dutch icon Patrick Stephen Kluivert, Joffre Mateu Gonzales, Gaizka Mendieta Zabala, Edmilson Jose Gomes De Moraes, and Giovanni Silva De Oliveira, the Brazilian who starred for Barcelona between 1996 and 1999.

The Zambian class of 2012 has stars such as goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, defenders Joseph Musonda, Nyambe Mulenga, Hichani Himoonde and AFCON winning goal scorer Stopilla Sunzu.

Midfielders Isaac Chansa, Felix Katongo, Chisamba Lungu and Rainford Kalaba will remind the Zambian fans how they tormented teams with their skills when they were at their peak.

Strikers James Chamanga, Collins Mbesuma, Jonas Sakuwaha, Noah Chivuta, Emmanuel Mayuka and then lost son Clifford Mulenga who was expelled from the 2012 AFCON winning squad in Gabon are all set to take part in today’s match which is aimed at promoting the country’s tourism potential.

Meanwhile, Kings of Africa Sports, the organisers have confirmed that the Chipolopolo legends will use a new match day kit, sponsored by Techurate, Tecno and Zanaco. “KOAS is excited to unveil the new jersey and replicas will be on sale for the fans to purchase on match day, at an order price of K280 and retail of K350,” the organisers said.

“In furtherance of the Governments’ agenda to uplift the Youth and bring economic social equality, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has today distributed 600 tickets to students at National Institute of Public Administration, Evelyn Hone College and University of Zambia.”

A further 1, 500) tickets, will be distributed through the office of the Minister of Sports Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu, to the disabled, vulnerable and youth.  “It is for such as these, that we brought the F. C. Barcelona Legends Games’. The money raised will fund development programms in sports and provide focus and discipline,” said Nkandu.