MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
@SunZambian
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it is saddened by the death of former Zambia national team Captain Dickson Makwaza
Makwaza who captained Zambia at the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON)in Egypt where the KK11 emerged runners up to the then Zaire , died on Saturday morning in Ndola Teaching Hospital after an illness.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga described Makwaza’s death as big loss to the soccer fraternity. He said the nation has
lost one of its greatest soccer icons.
“The FAZ executive and the entire football family mourns Makwaza, who was one the longest serving captains of the Zambia national team formerly known as KK11 and was also a life member,
“He was full of humility despite his achievements in life, it is our prayer that our modern day footballers learn from his great spirit of sacrifice and dedication, said Kamanga.
Former FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya also joined other soccer personalities in mourning the former soccer coach.
‘It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of my former coach and longtime captain of the Zambia national football team (KK Eleven), ” Bwalya said.
Bwalya said that he had fond memories of Makwaza as his coach at “Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers FC.
He said Makwaza’s contribution to Zambian football was immeasurable.
Bwalya described Makwaza’s leading of Zambia to the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974 in Egypt where Zambia reached its 1st ever final as the foundation and motivation on which Zambian football was built.
“To his family and friends, please accept my sincere condolences, we mourn with you. I wish you strength at this most difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Bwalya said.
Nicknamed ‘barbed wire’ in his playing days, Makwaza coached Zambia at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games where the team reached a historic quarterfinal finish.
Makwaza’s son Linos starred for the Chipolopolo in the post Gabon disaster era and has taken up coaching roles at various clubs. The deceased’s grandson Linos Junior is on the books of Power Dynamos.
The late Makwaza was born on July 15, 1943 in Mazabuka, and died in the early hours of Saturday at Ndola Teaching hospital .
The funeral is being held at Number 50, Ghana Circle Road in Luanshya.
