Bwalya relishes both Pele or Maradona
KALUSHA Bwalya is a former Zambian international footballer, and is Zambia’s eighth most capped player and third on the list of all-time top goalscorers.
Bwalya, who now lives in Joburg, was named African Footballer of the Year in 1998 and was nominated for Fifa World Player of the Year in 1996 where he was voted the 12th best player in the world – the first to be nominated after playing the entire year for a non-european club.
Bwalya also played for European football clubs PSV Eindhoven and Cercle Brugge.
Which football team has impressed you most this season?
I must say Liverpool has impressed me very much in the current season with the team they have, especially as an African, with the form that Mohamed Salah and
Sadio Mane are in.
It is impressive how Jurgen Klopp has been able to build such a well balanced team playing attacking football.
Who did you love more, Pele or Maradona and why?
When I was younger I followed, like most of my Zambian friends, the Brazillian teams. Pele was something else. Not much TV in those days, but in the 1970 World Cup we caught the highlights. That’s when Pele, Tostao, Jarzinho, Garincha were incredible. The skill, the dribbling, the running, used to excite me as a young player. But the one player I followed very closely, was Diego Maradona. I remember as a professional football player arriving and playing in Belgium with Cercle Brugge (in) 1986, I used to watch Maradona at Napoli. I made sure to watch the Italian Serie A highlights every Sunday. It was marvellous. I wouldn’t choose one or the other because they have all brought so much joy to me and the game. What has life been like without watching football?
It has been very strange with absolutely no football on TV and no competition because of the Covid-19. In the past we always thought football was more important than life, but now life has taught us how valuable and vulnerable we can be. Sport has taken a back seat. We have to adjust. What was the best moment in your football career?
Not just one. You can’t last as long as we have been on this road with just one memory. Mine are many moments of gratitude. Many moments of sweat, pain, tears and joy. Just to play overseas at the time I went to Belgium at the end of 1985 was a milestone. To be crowned 1988
African Player of the Year was a superb moment. To lift the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 are moments and achievements one can only dream about.
Who was the toughest player you ever came up against?
Playing in Zambia with Mighty Mufulira Wanderers, one defender that used to give me a tough afternoon was right back John Kalusa of Nkana Football Club. He was quick and agile, and would stick to me like glue. What are your favourite lockdown activities?
During lockdown time has moved slowly. But I always enjoy time together with my family. I’m either playing chess with the family, working out in the garden, catching up on reading books, and I particularly enjoyed The Last Dance on Netflix.
What is one thing that people don’t know about Kalusha Bwalya?
I wonder if people realise that football runs in my veins. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the beautiful game. I care deeply about football and its development. I love to watch talented youth display their talent, it reminds me of the way I started. Which meal reminds you of your childhood?
Nshima (maize meal) with Chicken. I remember relishing this as a child before rushing off to play football with my friends.