Friday, March 29, 2024

Great Kalu pens tribute for late Former coach as FAZ Condole with the Banda family

Former Chipolopolo skipper Kalusha Bwalya has penned an emotional tribute to the late Former Zambia National Team coach Colonel Brightwell Banda. 

Banda, 75, died at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka Friday morning.

The 1988 CAF footballer of the year described Banda as a true leader who laid the foundation for the KK11 and its success. 

In 1976, Banda became the first indigenous Zambia National team coach after taking over from Croatian coach Ante Buselic before signing a three-year full-time contract nine years later.

The former FAZ President took to social media for his moving tribute to the late Former Green Buffaloes player. 

“My sincere and deepest sympathies go out to the family of Coach Colonel Brightwell Banda. Remembering his wonderful soul and spirit. He was a true leader, putting his heart and soul into his teams. He laid the foundation for the KK11 and its success. He worked in silence but he let his success do the talking.

I have great memories of the time we spent together as a team, with him at the helm. He instilled togetherness and the team was like a  ‘family’. He made us believe in ourselves, We had that winners mentality, together with discipline, like a true soldier. Values which we had to work on every day.

Colonel Brightwell Banda was an astute coach who knew exactly what he wanted. He transformed the team into winners. His motivation of preparation and determination was what shaped my formative years with the Zambian National soccer Team. I could not have had a better start in my National football career, with a Mentor like the Colonel,” Kalusha wrote.

“He chose and was in charge of big players in every position, ably led by Captain Jones Chilengi, Zambia won its first senior tournament in 1984 at the East And Central Africa Cup beating Malawi in the finals on penalties. Lucky Msiska, Jones Chilengi and I scoring the penalties to lift one of  Zambia’ first senior tournaments, winning  3-0. Under the Colonel’s  leadership, this team later went on to qualify for my first ever Africa Cup of Nations 1986 in Egypt.

The team Coach Colonel Banda led was formed by an array of stars which included goalkeeper Efford Chabala, Kapambwe Mulenga, Ashios Melu, Captain Jones Chilengi, Jericho Shinde, Derby Makinka, Jack Chanda, Michael Chabala, Charles Musonda to name but a few. The team was a  strong, close knit unit.  Our coach, certainly knew how to prepare his troops for battle.

He might be gone, but he  will never be forgotten. He made an indelible mark on my career and the Zambian game as a whole. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Great Kalu added. 

Meanwhile FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says the Association commiserate with the football family on the loss of Banda, who until his death was serving as a member of the FAZ Technical Committee.

“The Football Association of Zambia wishes to express its condolences to the family and friends of Colonel Brightwell Banda. His death is a huge loss to the nation as Colonel Banda was a great mentor of his time, and one who dedicated his time to serving football at all levels,” Kashala told FAZ Media.

“Colonel Banda was a very passionate coach and leader who always supported the development of football throughout the country and the football family will remember his various accomplishments achieved while playing and managing the game.”

The funeral is being held in Shimabala.

FACT FILE : 

Name: Brightwell Banda

D.o.B: September 22, 1946

Playing position: Forward (Retired)

Youth Career:

Monze Secondary School

Club Career:

1968-1970 Zambia Army, (now Green Buffaloes)

National Team Career

1980-1988

Teams Coached

1971-1980s Green Buffaloes

1976-1978 Zambia Coach

1981-1982 Zambia Coach

1984-1986 Zambia Coach

1985-1986 Ndola United

2004-2005 Red Arrows

Coaching Honours

1982 Won bronze at the AFCON finals

1984 CECAFA Challenge with the national team

Individual Achievements

1971 Obtained a FIFA coaching license

1974-1976 Attended a football in Belgrade courtesy of the Zambia Army

1984 Was promoted from Lt. colonel to full colonel after winning CECAFA challenge

1985 Obtained Coaching badges in EAst Germany

Banda was the first indigenous national team coach when he took over from Croatian coach Ante Buselic in 1976.

He became the first Zambian to sign a full-time contract as national team coach when he signed a three-year deal in 1985.

A disappointing first round exit at the Egypt 1986 AFCON which Banda attributed to inadequate preparations saw him relieved of his duties and he went back to his army post.

He later served as Technical Advisor of Zanaco before joining Red Arrows in 2004, where he was sacked a year later following a dismal performance in the CAF Champions League.

While at Buffaloes in the 1970s, he coached former Zambia Army Commander Geojago Musengule.

He identified 1988 African Footballer of the Year and former FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya, together with Charles Musonda among others players from the Zambia Schools football and drafted them into the squad.

The 1984 won Zambia her first ever  CECAFA Challenge Cup in 1984.

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