DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO, Lusaka
WRITING Kalusha Bwalya’s profile is not an easy task for one simple reason – there is nothing the public, local and international, does not know about his illustrious football career that spans four decades.
He is, by some distance, the most decorated sportsman, thanks to his left foot and general ingenuity that have made him grace some of the best stadiums and conference rooms across the globe.
He needs no introduction to the game of football having been an eminent figure of the game at all levels.
He has been involved in football as a player, coach and administrator.
In fact, his entire life is centred on football as he gladly proclaims.
“Football is my life. I have been in football all my life,” he says.
Indeed, Kalusha has been the most celebrated soccer icons in Zambia. As a player, he was a marvel to watch, encountered a few challenges as a national team coach while his administrational role has faced a lot of opposition despite the unmatched success.
Despite facing many challenges, Kalusha has stood head high and remained resilient even in times when his leadership acumen at FAZ has been tested to the core.
Today, Kalusha’s leadership strength will be put to test through a ballot at Kitwe’s Moba Hotel.
He took over from Teddy Mulonga in 2008 with a landslide victory and repeated the feat in 2012 when he went to beat Emmanuel Munaile his erstwhile friend.
This time around, the incumbent FAZ chief is being challenged by businessman and energy consultant Andrew Kamanga, who many may perceive to be his greatest nemesis and former FAZ executive committee member Henschel Chitembeya.
As the D-day draws near, campaigns are hyped and candidates are up in arms; reaching the remotest parts of the country trying to lure support from councillors.
All candidates regardless of who they are and how well they are known are on their toes reaching out to the most important members of the association (councillors).
Kalusha is not an exception although his campaign trail in most instances turns out to be instant mob justices.
People mob him not for wrong reasons but just to have a glimpse and probably take a photograph with the most celebrated soccer son of the soil.
If popularity was anything to go by, Kamanga and Chitembeya would have already conceded but the councillors know best and the two opponents equally have a chance.
Although there could be some gray areas in his leadership, unprecedented developments have been recorded during his tenure of office.
As a player, Kalusha did not won the Africa Cup of Nations title nor did he manage to bring the trophy home as a coach, but scored high as an administrator in 2012.
It had to take him to become an administrator to win the Africa Cup in Libreville, Gabon, where his teammates perished in 1993 after a plane crash.
Kalusha was instrumental in rebuilding the team after the 1993 disaster that claimed the cream of Zambian football.
The rebuilt side captained by Kalusha nearly won the Africa Cup but lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the final.
Kalusha scored five goals leading Zambia to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. He scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 bashing of Italy and went on to be crowned Africa’s best player in the same year.
At the Seoul tournament, Zambia drew 2-2 with Iraq, battered Italy and Guatemala 4-0 apiece and lost by a similar to West Germany in the quarter-finals.
Well, that is just part of his illustrious playing career, back to elections.
Kalusha believes he has done enough to deserve a third term.
“We have collectively managed to raise the standards of the game and having partners like MTN and SuperSport just shows how much confidence the business community has in FAZ. We have over the years laid a strong foundation that we have continued building on and the achievements speak for themselves,” he says.
Apart from winning the Africa Cup, all the teams starting from the women have managed to qualify to their respective continental competitions with the under-17 women side making history by booking a ticket to the Costa Rica World Cup in 2014.
“All this cannot come without planning. I don’t like to blow my own trumpet but I think we have done quite well. Our relationship with our patron [President Edgar Lungu] has been excellent. He has gone out of his way not only to help FAZ but the fans as well. He has given us great support and we are very grateful,” Kalusha says.
The local league which has for the first time had consistent sponsors is another area Kalusha believes deserves and applause.
The Zambian Super Division is televised live across Africa on SuperSport.
“Zambians should be proud because we get acknowledgment from all over the World,” he says.
Although some may have questions about his administrational skills, Kalusha’s soccer management skill stretches far beyond the national soccer governing body.
He is a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee and also serves on some FIFA sub committees.
Fact File
Name: Kalusha Bwalya
Occupation: Retired footballer, incumbent president of Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
Assumed office: 2008
Re-elected: 2012
Age: 52
Home town: Mufulira, Zambia
Football career
Playing position: Forward, winger
Years
1979 – 1980 Mufulira Blackpolls
1980-1985 Mufulira Wanderers
1985-1989 Cercle Brugge
1989- 1994 PSV Eindhoven
1994-1997 América
1997 Necaxa
1998 Al Wahda
1998 León
1999 Irapuato
1999 Veracruz
2000 Correcaminos
National team
1983- 2004 Zambia
Teams managed
2003-2006 Zambia
Achievements: 1988 African footballer of the year.
Kalusha Bwalya: Football Legend added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →
So what. There are even more illustrious careers than this bare minimum, without corruption perceptions and crying and ransoming one’s way to the helm you are not wanted. We are all stakeholders, and the Councillors should represent us responsibly and honorably, without thinking about their bellies.
Muleikalafye nga tapali ifyo mwaishiba imwe bamutasha kali kwisaya. Its Great Kalu all the way.
I think iwe Diana balikuchita kuli Kalusha. Elo nayo iyakunuma pantu wasabaila sana!
Kikikiki it seemz so or maybe campaining for Kalu. Its too late. Kalu was costing govt too much money. Imagine everyday flying to & fro South Africa to Zambia plus hotel bills all at govt costs.
I like Kalu,no matter the criticism, The man won’t respond nor attack individuals.
Kalalu has greatly promoted football in Zambia especially local league initially we had difficulties in promoting players & soccer in our nation. but today Zambian league has dominated and alot of players are being marketed world wide. The greatest problem that we have now in Zambia is the issue of criticism to people doing well. Lesa bweleni bwangu.
Kalusha did wonders to Zambian soccer and I will always hold him in high esteem. Unfortunately a few disgruntled characters do not recognize the fact that this son of the Zambian soil is an icon of the soccer fraternity in Africa. Hate him or hate him more he’s incomparable to any footballer Zambia has ever had. Viva Kalusha and Viva Zambia.
You guys do not cease to amaze. Kalu was a great and the nation knows. BUT what we say is Kalu has not and will never be a good administrator of the beaultiful game, Please differentiate the roles. Being a bright pupil does not mean being a good teacher or headmaster. PLZ save the game.
Ba Ken, just stay put. This is Great Kalu we’re talking about. What have you accomplished yourself??
By your standard.
Is this man in a possession of a GRADE 12 CERTIFICATE???????
To hell with your certificate maso yobe. Wileta amapolitics wembwawe.
Yes he has a Grade 12 Certificate I saw it yesterday before i interviewed him.
Has he served on any team admin? what are his credentials for that post?
I love Great Kalu
Yes he might be a legend on thr the field but he is definitely not one in football management. Not everyone can be an effective manager just look.at lungu. Lungu cannot lead and works better as a follower. That is why in august we will rest him in national interest
…and HH makes a good losing opposition laughing stock.
@Nez unfortunately hh is a product that does not sale in Zambia. Zambians are affraid of these bitter, tribal and selfish tongas
Add your comment xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thats great history but that does not grant him the right kunkhala wamuyaya monga Kaunda . We need different ideas that can push us forward .
Kalu lacks capacity to run the office of Faz President. His grey matter is not developed enough for the effective running of the Presidential office at FAZ. Popularity does not mean fit for office. He personally chose not to pursue higher education and therefore renders himself mentally incapacitated for the job.
Kalusha was an average player ,but poor and corrupt administrator. ask Davies Phiri,Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala.
Thief
kalu wamuyaya ewabakofye eka,bonse abashala kuwayawafye! without him we are lost! bonse mwebali against mwaba amatole ukubola bafikala fyenu
ANY way he was a great footballer but “not a good administrator” He needs to be a mare supporter from now onward.
Kalu is great. umwana kopala. task anyone who has bn brought up on kopalaland with sports issue, positv results are obtained. go to rural districts most soccer managers are frm kopalaland including best sports teachers.kopalaland does not only train kopalandians in heaviest insults bt equips residents with art of resilience, tolerance ,focus and unity. pomp is not part of a kopala like the pipo brought up in lusaka,central and southern
No matter the wrongs, this man has excelled in his career to the highest level. Zambia isn’t the end………..look at the global positions now!
Those with issues, if you lead perfect lives without wrong, then you can keep throwing stones.