South African coach Pitso Mosimane has paid glowing tribute to soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya, revealing that former FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter hailed the ex-Chipolopolo captain as ‘The Professor.’
Kalusha had a successful playing career for the club and country, before branching into coaching where he did not enjoy much success.
He is remembered for many things among them, being the man at the helm of the Zambian football when Chipolopolo lifted its maiden and only Africa Cup of Nations title thus far, in 2012.
Pitso Mosimane showers Kalusha with praises
Recently, Mosimane appeared on Sports Presenter Robert Marawa’s Radio Show, Marawa Sports Worldwide (MSW), where he was highlighting his football journey from playing to coaching.
Kalusha was one of the callers on the show who dialed in to hail their praise on Mosimane, a CAF Champions League winner with Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian side Al Ahly.
However, Mosimane returned the favour after Kalusha’s call, appreciating the Zambian legend’s footprint on African and global football.
“King Kalu!, Sepp Blatter used to call him the professor,” Mosimane revealed, ”this is a man who played coached, and ran the football federation [Football Association of Zambia]. Unbelievable!
“The only Cup of Nations that Zambia has won it’s King Kalu with Kennedy [Mweene], with the [Katongo] brothers, what do you call those brothers [Felix and Christopher] from Zambia, those that played for Jomo Cosmos also? Unbelievable.
Mosimane said Kalusha’s name transcend beyond the African borders.
“This guy, you go to Mexico, they know Kalu, you go to Holland they know Kalu, you go to Belgium they know Kalu. What a legend, what a left foot. Big player [and] humble guy, top football player,” Mosimane said.
