By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’s football icon Kalusha Bwalya says the winning 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Chipolopolo legends deserves to be celebrated for making the country proud 11 years ago in Gabon.
In an interview after the Chipolopolo legends defeated Bacerlona legends 3-0 in an exhibition match on Thursday night at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Bwalya said he was happy that the new dawn administration, working with Kings of Africa organised the high-profile exhibition match which united the 2012 AFCON wining heroes.
Bwalya, who came in as a second half substitute and contributed an assist for Clifford Mulenga’s third goal for Chipolopolo said the Chipolopolo legends should never be forgotten because they died a little for mother Zambia during their playing days.
“I think you can see for yourself the people who came, how happy they are so I think it is a start hopefully Zambians will now believe that the Zambian team that won in 2012 should be celebrated so we are happy about that,” Bwalya said.
“It was fabulous in terms of buildup, it was slow but once the Zambians got warmed up and they believed in themselves you know that’s what we always say sometimes Zambians we don’t believe in ourselves and we are very hospitable people, it is one of our best qualities to host people and in the spirit of Kenneth Kaunda, humanism, you know these boys used to die a little for Zambia, and they should not be forgotten,” he said.
“We are thankful to Kings of Africa Sports, we are thankful to the new dawn government, we are thankful to the minister of sports and tourism for the efforts in making this possible,” Bwalya said.
Meanwhile, Bwalya encouraged young sports men and women to keep fit by always exercising to live healthy lives.
Bwalya, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday on August 16, 2023 said there is need for youngsters to be disciplined to leave healthy long lives.
“I don’t train that much but I’m always in movement and this is what we want to also encourage the young boys and girls that you always have to be in movement for a healthy body and healthy mind.
“You always have to be disciplined, because it requires the kind of discipline for you to maintain. For me as a veteran, I know that until the day that I’m not there I will be able to play at least five minutes,” the 1998 African Footballer of the year said.
“Asked if he believes the current crop of Chipolopolo players have the hunger to represent the country Bwalya said, “You should ask the people who are there.”
