Zambian football legend and former FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya is impressed by the growth of women’s football in the country and has encouraged more financial support for the ladies’ game.
Bwalya delightfully noted the continued progress in women’s football to the point where the country now exports players to the best leagues in the world.
“The ladies’ game in Zambia has grown from strength to strength. There are some of the best players like Barbra and Rachael now campaigning in the USA and many others. So, it’s a credit to the girls for pushing because Zambia is a footballing country and I see the Chipolopolo, the girls, are doing themselves proud for their families, for Zambia and I’m sure they’ll have a good outing [at the Paris Olympics],” Bwalya told SABC Sport in an interview.
The 1988 African Footballer of the Year extolled the women’s national team for achieving back-to-back qualifications for the Olympic Games whose 2024 edition will be held in Paris next month.
“It’s tough, but it’s not the first time they are going to the Olympics, so we wish them all the best and also they are inspiring other young girls in Zambia, in Africa, and the world so that they can follow their dream.”
Bwalya has also called for more financial support to further improve women’s football in the country.
“I think there should also be more investment, in my opinion, because the girls are pushing. There’s talent, of course, and it’s up to the authorities, you know, government and association,” he said.
“Otherwise, they are enjoying massive support and now it is translating into reaching the maximum and, of course, in order for you to be at the top, you have to invest more in my opinion and you have to train more. The coaches have done well. Bruce Mwape, the coach for the national team has done very, very well in my opinion,” he added.
Under his reign as FAZ President, Bwalya witnessed the Zambia women’s Under-17 side qualify for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, marking the country’s first-ever World Cup qualification.
