Kalunga working hard to realize his Chipolopolo dream

By Aaron Mubanga Jnr

The Zambia U-20 national team class of 2017 is slowly taking up dependable positions in the Chipolopolo Boys squad with Patson Daka and Fashion Sakala leading the line.

Enock Mwepu is an invaluable member of the midfield and Emmanuel Banda is also proving to be a great asset with Prosper Chiluya taking over at left-back.

With Beston Chambeshi as the national team head coach now, one can not resist but remember the beautiful memories from the junior AFCON won on home soil and the World Cup performance that saw the team reach the quarter-finals for the first time in history.

One player who was key for the U-20 side is Portugal-based winger Kenneth ‘Wonder Boy’ Kalunga who says he is working hard to finally get his first call up. Kalunga is happy to see his mates making a mark and taking up space in the senior team.

“Yes. As it should be. Progression is one of the most important and overlooked factors in football and sports in general. The group of 2017 is what many looked at as a hope for the future and I think it’s good to see some players in and around the senior national team. I’ve worked hard day by day with the hope of getting my first senior national team call up,” Kalunga told the ZamFoot Crew in an exclusive interview.

“I’m always inspired and moved when I see players of my generation making a difference. I want to be part of that too so I’m working and believing,” he added.

The Bola na Lesa Boys won the AFCON in 2017 at the National Heroes Stadium after beating Senegal 2-0 in the final before going all the way to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The number of those players are now making waves around Europe, Patson Daka at Leicester City, Fashion Sakala Jnr with FC Rangers in Scotland, Enock ‘The Computer Mwepu with Brighton and Hove Albion, Emmanuel Banda and Edward Chilufya with Djurgadens in Sweden. Kalunga believes hard work and determination to realize a childhood dream keeps the Boys grounded and pushing to do more.

“Of course. I think one thing we all share in common is a childhood dream that we want to make a reality. Also, determination and hard work. There are Many challenges sometimes but nothing comes easy in life so we have to keep on pushing and representing Zambia in only positive ways,” he said.

Wonder Boy is currently campaigning in the third tier of Portuguese Football, Liga 3 with CD Cova de Piedade.

On Sunday, Kalunga scored the second goal of the game as CD Cova Piedade recorded their third win of the season beating Caldas SC 2-0 in a Liga 3 encounter. The 2017 U-20 AFCON winner headed home in additional time of the first half for his team to double their lead.

The former Gomes player was also voted as the man of the match for his overall performance.

Kalunga says he is targeting helping his team attain its objective for the season and on a personal level he wants to score more goals and continue racking up assists.

“The season has been alright. Some difficult times and some good ones too. I’ve had a few injury setbacks but I’m happy I’m back to full fitness,” he said.

“My target this season is to help my team reach its objectives and of course on a personal level, I hope to keep on scoring and providing assists. That way, better things will appear naturally,” he added.