WORLD CUP DREAM LIVES ON
…FAZ says Chipolopolo must honour Gabon heroes by finally qualifying for the FIFA World Cup
By Cecilia Nayame
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba says Chipolopolo are still chasing the dream of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup to fulfil the vision of the fallen Gabon air disaster heroes.
In a speech read on his behalf by FAZ Lusaka Province chairperson Jordan Maliti during the commemoration of the 33rd Gabon Air Disaster at Heroes Acre yesterday, Mweemba said every Zambian had a duty to realise the nation’s lingering World Cup ambition.
“Today marks the 33rd anniversary since the nation endured its darkest moment in its 61-year history. It is a moment that still carries painful memories despite the passage of time,” he said.
Mweemba said although the dream had been partially fulfilled through the qualification of the Copper Queens and various junior national teams to FIFA World Cups, the responsibility still rested heavily on the senior men’s national team.
“On that day, the nation lost arguably its finest generation of athletes that carried the people’s elusive FIFA World Cup dream. Thirty-three years later, we are still chasing that dream.
“In a small way, that dream has been partially realised through various junior teams and women’s national teams that have qualified for FIFA World Cups,” he said.
He noted that while Zambia’s triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remained historic, the ultimate measure of a nation’s football pedigree was still judged by the success of its men’s senior national team.
“To every Zambian who witnessed this team’s pedigree, there was always a feeling that they were destined to take Zambia to the 1994 USA FIFA World Cup,” Mweemba said.
The FAZ president also called for the organisation of more tournaments and commemorative matches in honour of the fallen heroes, saying such initiatives would help reboot the country’s football fortunes.
“As we honour the memory of these gallant men, we have a duty to embrace various football causes like commemorative matches. It is our desire that the national commemoration may spark the national drive to reboot our football,” he said.
Mweemba expressed confidence that this year’s commemoration would generate fresh ideas on how best to preserve the memory of the departed heroes.
“We are hopeful that this year’s commemoration will trigger our national football conscience to embrace the spirit of these gallant men,” he said.
He also commended the families of the victims for their continued support and resilience in commemorating the tragic event each year.
“I wish to thank the families for always joining in these commemorative events despite the daily grief they have carried with them.
“We are lucky as a nation that the families gave us these men to share their lives with all of us and had to pay the ultimate price for serving one’s nation. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Families’ representative Mtonga Tamalilapo called for continued maintenance and improvement of Heroes Acre, saying the site should reflect the honour deserved by those buried there.
“We are proud of the work we have begun here at Heroes Acre, the improvements we have made, the care we have shown, these are acts of love, but we know there is more to be done.
“We envision a Heroes Acre that speaks to the stature of those who rest here, maintained impeccably, improved steadily and standing as a place of beauty, reflection and national pride,” he said.
The plane carrying the Zambia national team plunged into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon on April 27, 1993, killing all 30 people on board.
The team was travelling to Senegal for a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
