KABAILA

By ELIAS CHIPEPO and MOSES CHIMFWEMBE-
SURVIVING members of the legendary 1974 Africa Cup runner-up Zambian soccer team have saluted their fallen team mate Kaiser Kalambo who died in Lusaka on Tuesday.
And Information Minister Joseph Katemba has said Government has received with deep shock and sorrow the death of Kalambo.
Kalambo was part of the first national team that qualified for the AFCON tournament in 1974 where the team reached the finals.
Edward Musonda, former national team defender, said Kalambo’s death was a big loss to the nation. Musonda said Kalambo was a humble but hardworking player in the national team.
“It is a big loss as he was a humble ‘boy’ who eventually took over my number three jersey. He was a good player, hard working. I remember once during our 1974 camping at Independence Stadium where I even told our coach then that Kalambo was a good player to take over from me,” he said.
Dickson Makwaza said the country has been robbed of a promising young coach who would have contributed greatly to the development of the game.
Richard Stephenson said he was saddened when he heard about the death Kalambo, who also played for Ndola United and Ndola Lime.
“He was a good little tough full back, he was a good fellow whom we used to call ‘KK” going by his names Kaiser Kalambo. It is really sad,” Stephenson said.
Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA) vice president Lewis Shambulo said Kalambo’s death was a great loss to the football fraternity as the he made immense contribution to the development of football in the country as a player and later on as coach.
“The death of Kalambo comes as a great shock; you know the country has once again lost a legend that made the country proud during his time. We will greatly miss him,” he said.
Former Ndola United player Moses Kabaila, who starred alongside Kalambo at the Ndola outfit, described Kalambo as a great player and coach who will be best remembered for his exploits on the pitch and on the technical bench.
“Kaiser was a huge factor in our team. I remember the game that we played against Chilemena Wanderers in Luanshya in 1973, we were trailing 5-0 at half time and when we went in the dressing room, Kaiser started lecturing us and when the game resumed, Kaiser scored two goals and late Charles Phiri added three goals ending the game 5-5,” he said.
And Katema, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said the late Kalambo was a skilful and talented player whose passion and contribution to the development of Zambian football, both as a player and coach, is incalculable.
“It is sad that such a talent has gone at a time when Government has prioritised sports development, football in particular, as a key sector for job and wealth creation. Young and upcoming football players in the country are urged to emulate this great soccer legend in raising Zambia’s football profile to greater heights,” he said.