Former Chipolopolo midfielder Noah Chivuta has joined the rest of the country in paying tribute to the late renowned Zambian musician Wesley Chibambo, famously known as Dandy Krazy.
Dandy Krazy died in the early hours of Thursday after succumbing to injuries in an accident that occurred along the Great North Road between Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi, claiming the lives of four people on the spot.
Chivuta shared in an interview with BolaNews how the national team incorporated Dandy Krazy’s 2011 hit song ‘Donchi Kubeba’ [Don’t Tell Them] into their routines for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
“It’s very sad, indeed. And, like, for the 2012, you know, if every goal was scored in that period, that was the song we picked or signal; we built a celebration. We also adapted from his dancing,” Chivuta said.
“Don’t Kubeba was a strategy” —Chivuta
Chivuta elaborated that the distinctive celebration symbolized the team’s strategy of silently working as underdogs throughout the tournament.
“So there was something where they say, ‘You just, perform, but don’t say what your plans are.’ The team in 2012 was like that. We went just silent,” Chivuta said.
“We were underdogs, but whatever we were putting in and whatever we say, we won’t review our secret, and that is what will make us succeed in the tournament, and that’s what that celebration was. And, if you see that dance, we were even closing the mouth with a finger; don’t talk. Just perform on the field. It was a song that was like our anthem.”
He also revealed that former Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard loved the song, further revealing how Dandy Krazy closely connected with the team whenever they were in camp.
“Every time we were going to play, Hervé Renard really loved the song; we used to dance to it after the match, before the match.”
Chivuta says he is touched by the passing on of the 47-year-old musician.
“With him gone too soon, it’s very touching and really saddening for the musicians and artists at large. And, also because we blended in with that song, and we were really connected with him. There are so many moments when he would come also to visit us when we’re in camp. May his soul rest in peace.”
READ MORE: How Dandy Krazy’s ‘don’t Kubeba’ song helped Chipolopolo at 2012 AFCON