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Bruce Ndlovu
Zambian football has over the years provided some of the most memorable moments in African football history, as the Southern African country, never ceases to give pundits and fans alike something to talk about.
Africaa��s fascination with Chipolopolo stretches back to the Kalusha Bwalya captained Under 23 side which trounced world super power Italy 4-0 at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The country was to break the hearts of the continent in 1993 when its much fancied teama��s plane crashed into the Atlantic killing everybody on board. As if in defiance to the blow that they had been dealt, the team went on to reach the finals of the 1994 African Nations Cup with a makeshift side.
Any football fan worth his salt will also remember Zambiaa��s fairytale run that saw them go all the way in the 2012 AFCON and pip a star studded Ivory Coast side in a drama-filled final.
On the club scene Zambians have also provided golden memories for fans of various clubs down the years.
In the late 90s midfielder Denis Lota became a fan favourite at Orlando Pirates while at Kaizer Chiefs Collins Mbesuma went on a scoring spree that endeared him forever in the hearts of the Amakhosi faithful. Isaac Chansa was also an instrumental part of the Orlando Pirates side that won a treble two seasons in a row.
Zimbabwe has also had its fair share of talented Zambians who set the league on fire. Dynamos fans will remember the deadly Clive Mwale who tormented opposition defences in the countrya��s premier league.
Over the years, the lush green turf at Barbourfields Stadium, the home of city giants Bosso bears the mark of Zambian imports who through sheer will and skill are remembered as fondly as any Zimbabwean player lucky enough to have donned the cluba��s famous black and white colours.
If there is one individual in the interaction between the club and Zambia whose history is now permanently etched in the minds of Bosso lovers ita��s former player and gaffer Kelvin Kaindu.
When he made his way to the club, Kaindu became a fan favourite as a dazzling winger that not only could take on defenders at will but also later on blossomed into a poacher that could come up with spectacular goals.
However, much like his coaching career over a decade later at the club, Kaindua��s tenure as a player at Highlanders was blemished by various misfortunes, in particular injuries that blighted his stay at the Bulawayo titans.
Another fondly remembered by fans of the black and white shirted boys was Jones Mulenga who shone in the middle of the park before departing during Madinda Ndlovua��s rebuilding stint at Bosso in 1997 where youth was the emphasis.
Perhaps Bossoa��s biggest and most fruitful import from Zimbabwea��s neighbours and rivals was Charles Chilufya who came during the cluba��s purple patch that saw them scoop the league title four years in a row between 2002 and 2004.
Chilufya was not blessed with the dazzling skills of showy midfield generals who prioritize beauty over effectiveness but what he lacked in skill he made up for in determination and an uncanny eye for goal, as he managed to outscore the countrya��s strikers on his way to making the coveted 2001 Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
The lure of big bucks called Chilufya and other Bosso stalwarts to Thomas Mapfumo sponsored Sporting Lions where he never packed the same powerful shot or captured the glory he had at Bosso.
Bosso were to strike gold again with striker Dabwitso Nkhoma, who mesmerized local defences during the 2004 season before he also fizzled out in the 2005 season when he went for the money at Motor Action.
Manase Mwanza also won the hearts of Bosso fans during the skillful Nkhomaa��s dominance at BF.
Zambians who failed to rise to the occasion and match the achievements of their compatriots at the pressure cooker atmosphere at BF include Matthews Ndlovu, Willie Musukwa, Kashinga Mulunda and Mulenga Chewe.
Online Reporter