CAF seat: Kalu wins landslide

 
 
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya on February has became the first Zambian to be elected into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee when he defeated three other contestants to scoop the slot reserved for the southern African region.
The 1988 African-footballer-of-the-year won with a runaway victory polling 38 votes while his closest rival Walter Nyamilandu of Malawi managed a paltry six votes.
And FAZ faction president Andrew Kamanga, a bitter critic of Kalusha in the last few months, congratulated the FAZ president on his victory.
Kamanga, who had described Kalusha’s ambitions to contest the CAF position as ‘over-ambitious’, said: “It is good that he has won. I congratulate him for that.”
The southern African region had the highest number of contestants with Namibia’s John Muinjo gathering five votes while Adam Mthethwa of Swaziland could only muster three votes.
The last time Zambia attempted to go for the CAF executive was in 2004 when the then FAZ president Evaristo Kasunga stood but he only managed three votes.
Kalusha said in an interview from Khartoum on February 23 that the victory was not for him alone but for the whole Zambia.
He said he would not have managed to secure a slot on the continent’s soccer decision-making body had it not been for the support from Zambians.
“I am here to represent Zambia, I feel very proud. I just wish my father (late Benjamin Bwalya senior) was here to see me. It’s a wonderful moment.
“I thank the people who have supported me from Kamuchanga in Mufulira, Kitwe, Ndola, Lusaka, just all Zambians,” he said.
Kalusha said he is grateful to God for giving him an opportunity to serve on the highest soccer mother body in Africa.
The FAZ president said he will do his best to ensure the Council for Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) region is well represented on the CAF panel.
“Last time I wanted to contest the CAF elections in Lagos but I realised that it was not my time and I decided to wait…. But this year I knew my time had come and everyone at the congress was convinced that Kalusha is ready and here I am now.
“So I want to tell others that it’s good to wait. When your time comes, things will just be straightforward. You don’t need to force anything,” he said.
Kalusha said he is grateful to people that have stood with him during the times that he has been moving around to serve the game.
He also paid tribute to former FAZ president Tom Mtine for supporting his candidature for the CAF executive position.
“I want to thank the big man Mr Mtine, he was here with me, he is an old man but he came all the way to congratulate me. I feel humbled,” said the former Chipolopolo skipper.
Kalusha said his election to the CAF executive committee will not affect his duties as FAZ president but will instead encourage him to serve the association even more effectively.
Other people who won CAF executive positions are Ghana’s Kwesi Nyantakyi who polled 36 votes to claim the West African Zone B slot, Terek Bouchamaoui of Tunisia went through unopposed for the North Africa Zone and so was Almamy Kabele Camara of Guinea for the West Africa Zone A.
Omari Constant of DR Congo also went through unopposed for the Central African zone while Leodegar Tenga of Tanzania polled 34 votes to beat his only rival Celestin Musabyimana of Rwanda who managed 19 votes.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has saluted Kalusha for winning CAF elections.
NSCZ spokesperson Smart Mwitwa said in Lusaka yesterday that Kalusha’s victory is good for the nation.
“We would like to congratulate him (Kalusha) but we shall issue a statement later,” Mwitwa said.
Former FAZ president Evaristo Kasunga said he is happy for Kalusha.
“In the absence of Danny Jordaan the rest of the candidates were lightweights. I congratulate him for the victory,” said Kasunga, who lost the CAF executive member position in 2004.
Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association chairman Yotam Mwanza said Zambians should be proud of Kalusha’s achievement.
Mwanza said it shows that Kalusha is held in high esteem on the continent.
“I have had an opportunity to travel with Kalusha and I have seen the way he is worshipped outside the country. This shows the admiration and respect the people have for Kalusha,” he said.
Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association patron Peter Makembo commended the CAF delegates for the confidence shown in Kalusha.
“We have tried for several years to have a representative on the CAF board but we have failed. We tried through Evaristo Kasunga but we failed. But this time we have finally managed through Kalusha,” Makembo said.