Soccer legend Kalusha Bwalya says he still cries at the lose of his teammates who died in a plane crash about 500 metres off the coast of Libreville, Gabon in 1993.
Commenting on the 23rd Anniversary of the Gabon plane crash where the entire Zambia National team died that falls on April 28, Kalusha says his heart is still crying.
“A day does not go past when I don’t think of my beloved teammates. Their dreams are my dreams #KKEleven RIP my brothers, my heart still cries. The pain is indescribable,” says Kalusha who was supposed to be the team but was to fly from his base in Europe to Senegal.
The Zambian National team was scheduled to play Senegal in a world cup qualifier match.
A Zambia Air Force buffalo plane carrying the entire national soccer team, five crew members, FAZ officials and a journalist, crashed into the Atlantic ocean about 500 metres off the coast of Libreville.
They were a very promising young team. Before they met their fate, the Chipolopolo Boys had put up spectacular appearance at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 where they beat Italy 4-0.
Below is the list of victims
Footballers:
1. Richard Mwanza (Goalkeeper)
2. Efford Chabala (Goalkeeper)
3. John Soko (Defender)
4. Whiteson Changwe (Defender)
5. Robert Watiyakeni (Defender)
6. Winter Mumba (Defender)
7. Eston Mulenga (Defender)
8. Samuel Chomba (Defender)
9. Kenan Simambe (Defender)
10. Derby Makinka (Midfielder)
11. Moses Chikwalakwala(Midfielder)
12. Wisdom Chansa (Midfielder)
13. Numba Mwila (Midfielder)
14. Godfrey Kangwa (Midfielder)
15. Patrick Banda (Striker)
16. Kelvin Mutale (Striker)
17. Timothy Mwitwa (Striker)
18. Moses Masuwa (Striker)
Coaching Staff
19. Godfrey Chitalu (Coach)
20. Alex Chola (Assistant Coach)
21. Wilson Mtonga (Team Doctor)
Others
22. Wilson Sakala (FAZ Executive Committee Member)
23. Michael Mwape (FAZ Chairman)
24. Nelson Zimba (Government Official)
25.Joseph Bwalya Salim (Journalist)
Crew
26. Colonel Fenton Mhone (Pilot)
27. Lt Colonel Victor Mubanga (Pilot)
28. Lt Colonel James Sachika (Pilot)
29. Warrant Officer Edward Nambote (Fitter)
30. Corporal Tomson Sakala (Steward)
It is indeed a sad day, but as well great day that I don’t afford to forget. Imagine on my birthday
The remains of our beloved stars may have been washed away by the silent and innocent currents of the Atlantic Ocean. But those Ocean waves will never wash away the truth. Where ever it is hidden and however long it will take, there shall come a government that will refuse to live with the heavy guilt of that homicide.
Great Kalu you are a true patriot. Zambia has few patriotic sons like you. Few because if it were others, they could have whispered to atlist their wives that my friends were actually shot down. But u have chosen to live with this painful truth for 23 yrs now for only the sake of your country. You are a patriot ba Kalu.
One day, there shall come a government that will resurrect this cold case and exhume criminals from heroes acre to face trial. Yes! …they will be exhumed and tried. The Catholics have done it before. Pope Formosus’ remains were exhumed by his successor Pope Stephen IV, dressed up in papal robes and put on trial in the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome. At end of trial, the corpse was found guilty, stripped of sacred vestments, deprived of three right hand fingers(blessing fingers), dressed in a garb of a layman and thrown into a river.
Dont think you are clever in those air conditioned graves at heroes acre. We just wait for time, we will exhume you so that you can tell us why you decided to use a plane carrying our boys for your criminal business. I cry too like Kalu.
Jerabo you confuse me,if kalu knows the truth and does not say it then he is a true patriot,how?From you I have learnt anew definition of nationalism.The truth will come out some day.
Its really a sad history for zambia which wil never be forgotten.May their souls R.I.P
There is NO PLAYER in Zambia who has beaten the record of GODFREY UCAR CHITALU 107 Goals in one season….The man was great and he was coaching a great team, the KK Eleven! MAY THE SOULS OF THE DEPARTED TEAM REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
Yes Godfrey Chitalu was a legend.My sister in law was in the same class at primary and testifies that even at primary school he was a good footballer rather quiet in class.
I saw him a week before in town from a distance..yes I was shocked
May yo Souls rest in peace. You really put the name of mother zambia on a map
May their souls rest in peace
Sad memories indeed. A friend of mine (Cynthia Kunda) who used to work for ZAMTEL (LAMYA HOUSE) called me on this day before it was officially announced that all the players and crew had died in a plane crash. I did not believe it but few minutes later the nation was informed through the radio, FTJ cut his trip to Nigeria short.
Sad indeed. I did not expect Ucar to die like that. Alex Computer Chola, I still miss you. Wiiiiize, I will forever remember you. Rest well, until we meet again.