CELEBRATING KALUSHA BWALYA (OGDS) ON HIS BIRTHDAY; 

NO MATTER THE PRESENT CHALLENGES, NO MATTER WHAT LIES BEFORE HIM; HE IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A NATIONAL, AFRICAN AND GLOBAL HERO.

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

The crowded stadium was bursting at its seams and the multitude of spectators chorused in excited anticipation “Lusha...Lusha…Lusha!”

Down on the soccer pitch, a figure with the number “11” written on the back of his copper coloured jersey calmly stepped up to take a free kick on the fringe of the penalty area. There was a lot at stake!

Kalusha Bwalya on the pitch at the Seoul 1988 during the match against Italy

The young man shouldered the hopes of an entire nation; yet he kept his composure.

Seconds later, the crowd’s expectation was rewarded. The player’s left foot stroked the ball with just the right power and spin and it curved over the human wall in front of it as if it were a guided missile, cruising into the top right corner of the goal post bulging the net after it passed the flailing arms of the goal keeper.

The stadium raptured into a frenzy of joy as men, women and children from all walks of life and different social standing united in cheering the goal.

In the ecstasy of the moment, total strangers hugged and gave each other “high fives” in the stadium’s terraces.

Far away from the stadium, in urban and rural areas around Zambia, similar scenes simultaneously unfolded in homes, bars and other social places. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people huddled around their transistor radios as the late Dennis Liwewe-the venerated soccer commentator’s voice reached fever pitch: “…It’s a goal…” “It’s Lusha…lusha…lusha …Kalusha Bwalya saves Zambia!” 

Instantly, children run out of their homes in droves to celebrate Zambia their nation and Kalusha Bwalya their hero.

“The Great Kalu” as he is fondly called is a true son of the soil.

He began playing football in Mufulira’s recreational clubs in the late 1970s, and then went on to star for Mufulira Secondary School and Mufulira Blackpool where in 1979 he scored on his debut at the tender age of 16 years before finally moving to Wanderers. Five years later in 1984 when he was only 21 years old, Kalusha Bwalya was voted Zambian Footballer of the Year. That was also the year that as a player he won his first cup with the national team- the East & Central Africa challenge cup. The hero’s star was rising and his frontier was expanding.

The Zambian hero was first announced on the bigger global stage thirty years ago at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul Korea.

Zambia was at the time coached by three of the patriarchs of Zambian football the late Samuel Zoom Ndhlovu, Dickson Makwaza – now based in Luanshya and Freddie Mwila. The team was captained by the late Ashios Melu and he was deputised by the late Efford Chabala. Kalusha was one of the younger members of the team and his peers included other notables such as Charles Musonda and Johnstone Bwalya.

Zambia was placed in the same group as Guatemala, Iraq, and the “dreaded” Italy.

The team drew with Iraq 2-2 and stunned Italy (and the world) with a 4-0 hammering. Great Kalu hauled a hat trick while Johnston Bwalya contributed one. The Kalusha inspired team next thrashed South Americans Guatemala 4-20 before being knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by the well lubricated West Germany machine driven by Jürgen Klinsmann who scored three goals as Zambia went down 0-4.

Regardless of the elimination, the team’s overall performance attracted widespread attention, praise and respect in the football world.

Kalusha Bwalya emerged the 2nd top scorer at the Seoul Olympics with his team having played fewer games than top scorer Romario whose team went all the way to the finals eventually losing to the United Socialist Soviet Republic USSR (Russia).

Both Kalusha and Romario eventually be scooped by PSV Eindhoven when the late Bobby Robson was coach at the Dutch Club.

In the Times of Zambia, newspaper of 20th September 1988, sports correspondent Alfred Mulenga reported: “Zambia has become a major talking point following their sensational victory over European soccer giants Italy.”

The world had witnessed something incredible and someone special. Kalusha Bwalya- a special hero had come into his element.

That same year (1988) he became the first and to date the only player from Southern Africa to win the African Footballer of the Year award; a record that stands to this day. For the last thirty years, there has been not been any other player of such decoratef distinction from Southern Africa. He remains the only one.

After his exploits on the pitch at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the government of the Republic of Zambia awarded Bwalya the Order of Grand Distinguished Service (OGDS) the country’s highest honour recognising distinguished service. The honour was bestowed on him by his country’s Head of state at the time- Dr Kenneth Kaunda at an Investiture ceremony held at State House.

Fourteen years later he was back on the lawn of State House receiving another award, this time “the meritorious award” bestowed on him by late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa during a 2002 investiture ceremony.

It was not by accident that at a time when there were not as many Africans - let alone Zambians playing professional football in Europe, Kalusha was also was voted as the supporters player of the year 3 times in a row in 1986 , 1987, and 1988 at his club Cercle Brugge in Belgium. Not surprisingly, he was also top scorer at Cercle Brugge two years in a row.

Prior to the Gabon disaster Kalusha first captained the pre-disaster National Team team from 1992 in Senegal to 1993 before the team perished.

In 1992 while in Senegal, Coach Samuel Ndhlovu called in then Captain Ashios Melu and it was agreed that because of his influence on the pitch, Kalusha should be made Captain. It subsequently unanimously agreed.

The hero who inspired the lifting of his nation in the midst of a national tragedy:

One thing about heroes is that even when it doesn't look like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, they keep going; they keep digging in the gloom of darkness and dedpair all around them. They just keep trying to do right and make up for what's gone before, just because that's who they are-heroes.

That’s typically how the hero in “Great Kalu” reacted after losing almost all his national team mates – (reserve team included) that perished in an air crash off the coast of Gabon on the 27th April 1993.

Kalusha was not on the ill-fated flight because he was going to join the National Team in Dakar, Senegal, directly from Holland where he played for PSV Eindhoven.

Subsequent to the Gabon disaster, there were emotive debates at home and abroad regarding whether or not Zambia should continue with the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign and the Africa Cup qualifiers.

Many believed it was important for the country to continue as a way of honouring the men who perished in the plane crash.

Eventually the then Head of State President the late Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba in an emotional speech at the burial of the victims at the Independence Stadium announced: “As we inter the bodies of our dead heroes, we must not bury their hopes and aspirations. Let the torch they carried be carried on by those who live on.”

That torch was taken up by Kalusha Bwalya – who continued his captaincy with a reconstituted team.

Like a hero who kindles a great light in in the gloom of adversity, Great Kalu declared that withdrawing from the competitions would be a betrayal of the cause the victims were pursuing.

Kalusha supported the idea of continuing with both the World Cup and African Cup of Nations campaigns. He was the “go to guy” the nation could rely upon.

“We may never be able to put together a team quite like the one we have lost,” Kalusha stated, “but we should carry on."

The hero had come of age and bore the weight of a grieving nation and he was determined to lead by example from the frontline.

He captained the side through the remaining World cup qualifiers and Zambia came about 30 minutes close to qualifying for its maiden World Cup appearance, but the team's gallant efforts were thwarted by suspect refereeing by Jean Fidel Diramba of Gabon in a final qualifying match away to Morocco, yet Kalusha carried himself well and exhibited exemplary behaviour in a very hostile and vexing environment on and off the pitch in Morocco.

During 1994 Kalusha also marshalled the team to the finals of the Arica Cup of nations in Tunisia.

The team reached the final and played Nigeria, scoring first through Elijah Litana’s powerful header, but eventually lost 1-2 with Kalusha hitting the upright in a close nail biting encounter.

Kalusha Bwalya has been one of Zambia’s most outstanding heroes as a football player, Coach and Administrator.

In 2012 , he brought glory to Zambia when as President of the Football Association of Zambia; the country finally won its maiden Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Libreville Gabon.

The hero had led and galvanised the fulfilment of his nation’s dreams.

These are just a few of the living legends exploits.

He's been to the Africa cup twelve times as player, Coach and President of FAZ. He appeared as a player in the years1986, 1992, 1994, 1996, 19 98, and 2000. In ensuing years, the Great Kalu has also been to the Continents supreme soccer showpiece as coach/FAZ President: 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and, 2015.

With twelve appearances as 

player and official, he remains the only African football personality to appear twelve (12) times at the Cup of Nations.

Kalusha has been honoured for his heroism at home and abroad. 5 out of 6 Zambian Heads of State have honoured him in one way or another.

Last April, the Provincial government of Gauteng Province in South Africa honoured him for his outstanding contribution to football in Zambia and African continent as a whole.

Kalusha has received many other similar accolades.

Another of his many global honours came three years ago when the Island City of Goree in Senegal accorded him its highest honour “The Pilgrim award”.

In handing him the honour the city’s mayor, said the Island city had given Kalusha the honour “in recognition of his contribution to the game of football in Zambia, Africa and the entire world”. Another person who received this particular award is former United States of America President Barrack Obama.

Such is the measure and stature of Zambia’s decorated hero.

Kalusha Bwalya is a name with global recognition. He has in fact become an institution: yet he is still just one of us.

It is his birthday today and we would like to focus on celebrating how valuable and cherished he has been to this country so we will not venture into his current predicament in the world of football.

However, let us all as Zambians regardless of political inclination or tribe celebrate our heroes as our nation's pride. After all, the pride Kalusha brought to this nation transcends any kind of divide.

We cannot be a nation that rejoices when our heroes are dragged into the mud even when it's clear and sheer malice.

Let it not be said of Kalusha Bwalya: “No man is a hero in his own country”.

Heroes are not perfect. They are human. “Great Kalu” is not perfect. He is human.

Whatever people may think and say about him, Kalusha Bwalya isn’t just a hero because he is the only person in Southern Africa to win Footballer of the year award. He is a hero in Zambia, Africa and the world, because in the face of adversity he stood up for his nation and galvanised hope .

There can be no meaningful life without hope.

He is called “Great Kalu” not just for his exploits on the pitch; but because of his inspirational abilities. He is a leader and he has inspired millions and mentored many.

It has been said that “a mentor enables a person to achieve; while a hero shows what achievement looks like”. Kalusha Bwalya is both.

Kevin Costner - the talented Hollywood actor once said: “Real heroes are men who fall and fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they’ve stayed true to their ideals and beliefs and commitments”.

Here at home Zambia’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa Mr Emmanuel Mwamba once made the following observation about the Great Kalu: “He will be in the annals of our collective history while many people that try to destroy him will not even be in the footnote of our history”.

Happy Birthday Great Kalu; we celebrate you. Your greatness is indelibly etched in the hearts and minds of millions.

You are; and will always be an outstanding Zambian, African and Global hero.

Like the roaring thunder of the Mighty Mosi-O-Tunya, we hear the thunderous reveberation of a National, Regional and Global spectatorship joining us as we cheer you on in unison : "Lusha…lusha…lusha!”

Ends…//…

The author is the PF Media Director

At the Patriotic Front Secretariat

In Lusaka