FALLEN HEROES REMEMBERED

SUN SPORTS writes APRIL 28 marks exactly 27 years since news broke out in Zambia that a Buffalo Plane carrying the Zambia National soccer team for a World Cup qualifier match had crashed off the Coast of Gabon into the Atlantic Ocean, killing the entire team and crew members. And the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has not commemorated a memorial event due of the cancellation of public gatherings that has been necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various sports personalities and soccer fans alike have taken to social media to express their fond memories of the team with former captain Kalusha Bwalya among the notable names. Captain of the team, Bwalya, survived the crash as he was to set to travel directly to Senegal from his base in Holland. Zambia was due to play Senegal in the USA 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Eighteen players, technical staff, a FAZ chairman, crew members and a journalist died off the coast of Gabon in Libreville on their way to fulfilling the 1994 World Cup fixture against in Dakar. The air crash remains one of the most painful memories in the history of Zambian football. The team fondly known as the KK11, was highly rated in Africa and was tipped to qualify to the World cup which was to be hosted by the United States of America. Zambia had three days before the crash beaten Madagascar three nil before the team was to later take on Senegal. Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) patron Peter Makembo reaffirmed his associations’ commitment to represent millions of Zambians by laying wreaths at the fallen hero’s burial site behind National Heroes Stadium. Makembo said it is sad that the heroes would not be mourned like every year because of the Covid-19 pandemic which discourages public gatherings. He however noted that the team will always be remembered for its determination to bring glory to Zambia. Makembo said players such as Efford Chabala, John Soko, Eston Mulenga, Kenan Simambe and Patrick ‘Bomber’ Banda from Nkana and Profund Warriors were great players who were a marvel to watch on the pitch. And National Assembly FC communications manager, Jairous Siyame described the team as a passionate and patriotic team of players focused to achieving their goals. “The team had a passion for football and they were very patriotic unlike the way it is today when there is more money compared to the past “For them it was more of patriotism, the pride of wanting to wear national colors is what mattered the most for them to see Zambia getting somewhere in terms of football,” Siame said. He urged the current generation of footballers to emulate the fallen heroes by working hard and focusing on raising the country’s flag when they are called to represent Zambia instead of focusing on money issues. Government has directed that an official ceremony will only be held every five years from 2018. The Full List is as follows: (GOALKEEPERS) Efford Chabala (Mufulira Wanderers), Richard Mwanza (Kabwe Warriors) (DEFENDERS) John Soko, Eston Mulenga (both Nkana), Whiteson Changwe (Kabwe Warriors), Robert Watiyakeni (Dynamos FC-RSA), Winter Mumba (Power Dynamos), Samuel Chomba (Dynamos-RSA) (MIDFIELDERS) Derby Makinka (El Tiffaq-Saudi Arabia), Moses Chikwalakwala, Numba Mwila (both Nkana), Wisdom Chansa (Dynamos FC-SA), Godfrey Kangwa (Olympique Casablanca-Morocco) (STRIKERS) Kelvin ‘Malaza’ Mutale (El-Tiffaq-Saudi Arabia), Timothy Mwitwa (Nkana), Moses Masuwa (Kabwe Warriors), Kenan Simambe (Nkana), Patrick ‘Bomber’ Banda (Profund Warriors) COACHING STAFF Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu (coach) Alex Chola (assistant coach) Wilson Mtonga (doctor) Wilson Sakala OTHERS Michael Mwape (FAZ Chairman) Nelson Zimba (public servant) Joseph Bwalya Salim (journalist) The Sun