In 1986, at sixteen, such was his domination in the midfield that he was called up to the Zambia national team at the Africa Cup of Nations and started in the first team line up against Cameroon.
1986 African Cup of Nations
In a fascinating end-to-end contest, with Cameroon seeking vengeance [Zambia beat Cameroon 4-1 with Nkana’s Micheal Chabala scoring a hattrick] for their World Cup elimination at Zambia’s hand a year earlier the best match of the tournament as played out.
The young Zambian side matched their opponents in the battle of wits, with the young Musonda orchestrating Zambian attacks through his intricate ball distribution. Cameroon sensing the tide turning against them, cynically sought to neutralise Musonda.
Their chance came when in a fifty-fifty race for possession, Roger Milla, getting to the ball first, blasted it straight into Musonda’s midriff, seriously injuring the precocious teenager.
He was out for the rest of the tournament and his absence proved to be detrimental to Zambia’s prospects of making the semi-final. Zambia bowed out of the tournament and went home early but lessons had been learned by the young, promising team who were making their debut in the tournament, wrote Ponga Liwewe
Charles Musonda came to stardom in 1985 when as a 15 year old made his debut for Mufulira Wanders under the great Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu.
Unfortunately for ‘Charlie Cool’, he only went to one African Cup of Nations tournament in 1986, and only played for 45 minutes as he was injured [see above].
Seoul Olympics ’88
Two years later, at 18 years old, Musonda starred at the Seoul 88 Olympics as Zambia beat Italy and Guatemala 4-0 before losing by the same margin to Jurgen Klinsman’s Germany.
1990 African Cup of Nations
He missed the 1990 African Cup of Nations due to the club commitments as Anderleicht was involved in the European Cup final against Sampdoria.
Actually the final was watched on TV by members of the KK11 in Algeria whilst on AFCON duty.
On the way to final, Anderleicht beat the likes of Barcelona, and after the final, Italian giants Juventus came calling but his injury record prevented a move to Turin.
1992 African Cup of Nations
Musonda missed the 1992 edition through a persistent ankle injury.
Actually Charlie Cool’s injury dates back to around 1990 -1991 when despite Anderleicht declaring him not fit enough to travel to Lusaka for a match against Angola, he made the trip.
He got injured during that match but played on and ended up scoring the winner.
Anderleicht were upset with the national team and tug of war [Club v Country] began.
1994 African Cup of Nations
When he recovered from injury after the Gabon disaster, he joined the team for the USA 1994 World Cup qualifier against Morocco in 1993 but couldn’t prevent Zambia from losing.
As his relationship with Kalusha Bwalya soured up, Musonda opted out not to feature at the 1994 African Cup of Nations.
1996 African Cup of Nations
Now playing in the USA with Sacramento, Charles Musonda was tagged as a ‘bad boy’ at FAZ as he didn’t want to die for mother Zambia.
He was left out by Roald Poulsen in order to main peace.
The final straw
In 1997, then coach Fred Mwila Snr called him but again opted out because of personal reasons despite making the trip to Lusaka.
Charles has been selfish that’s y his children opted to play for foreigners what type of a father is he.he cant bury all those useless things with kb useless
is selfish the only word you zambians know? charles is selfish ….. kalusha bwalya is selfish ….. and who in the world told you that charles musonda’s children are playing for foreigners? dont you know that they play for their country?
This post is complete nonsense and an insult to football fans. It’s nothing more than rumor-mongering. Is this the depths to which Zamfoot has sunk in allowing such a horrible lowlife article to be published on their page?
First and foremost, the title is deceptive, followed by a slew of fabrications. Who told you that ….
– that ” Charles Musonda’s relationship with Kalusha Bwalya deteriorated, Musonda chose not to participate in the 1994 African Cup of Nations “?. Is Kalusha Bwalya the owner of the zambia national team’
– “Charles Musonda was labeled a “bad boy” at FAZ because he refused to die for his mother Zambia.”
– “that in order to maintain peace, Roald Poulsen left him out in 1996.”
[…] Post Done By ZamFoot. […]