Zambia heading for emotional reunion in Libreville
Zambia heading for emotional reunion
Posted: 2012-02-01 10:31
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Libreville later this month is bound to be a special occasion but, for Kalusha Bwalya, it could end up being a very emotional day.
Almost two decades have passed since the Gabon air disaster took the lives 18 of Zambia’s ‘golden generation’, many of whom had reached the quarter-finals of the 1988 Olympic Games alongside Bwalya.
Tipped to secure qualification for the 1994 World Cup, Chipolopolo were on their way to play a qualifier against Senegal in Dakar and had only touched down in Libreville to refuel their Zambian Airforce Buffalo aircraft.
Minutes after taking off, the plane – which had been out of service for six months before the fateful flight – crashed into the sea just 500 metres from the shore. Everyone on board was killed, with Bwalya only spared his life because he had arranged to make his own way to Senegal after playing for his Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
Now 48 and President of the Zambian FA and a member of CAF’s Executive Committee, he is hoping that Chipolopolo can honour their memory and make it all the way to Libreville’s new Stade de l'Amitié (Friendship Stadium).
“Of course our history would not be complete without the Gabon air disaster. I was captain of that team and we will always remember those that died,” Bwalya tells KickOff.com.
“It’s something that is part of the history of Zambian football because we had a fantastic team. I think the boys know all about what happened but most of them were too young to remember it.
“I don’t want the team to feel under any extra pressure to do anything special, although it would be great if we can make it all the way to Libreville because it would have meant we would have done something important.”
To do that, they will have to reach at least the semi-finals – something they are well on their way to doing after topping Group A and setting up a quarter-final clash against Sudan on Sunday.
And after the pain of being knocked out at the same stage by Nigeria in a penalty shoot-out in 2010, 1988 African Footballer of the Year Bwalya definitely fancies their chances of going at least one better this time.
“We have the individual talent, plus a good blend of youth and experience,” he says. “But most importantly, the players have a great appetite for the game. I think this team is as good as any other that has represented Zambia.”
All, that is, except one. In the aftermath of the Gabon air disaster, Bwalya’s achievement of guiding a completely new Zambian side to the verge of World Cup qualification and second place at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations will certainly take some beating.
“For lots of us older people, we will get emotional should we make it Gabon,” he admits.
“With the history that our country has there, it would mean a lot for everyone back home but there is still a lot of football to be played and there is already enough pressure on the boys.
“We want them to leave the sentimental part to us. But it would be fitting for this team to do well and represent the country in Libreville.”
: 2012-02-01 17:22
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