Standing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Accreditation Centre in Mexico City, surrounded by local journalists waiting to collect their credentials, we quickly realised that football memories travel far beyond borders.
The moment one Mexican journalist heard we were from Africa, his eyes lit up. He pointed towards the towering Estadio Azteca and excitedly recalled the brilliance of Kalusha Bwalya.
“Kalusha Bwalya,” he said. Five minutes later, it was “Kalusha Bwalya” again.
Then once more. The Great Kalu’s name seemed to echo through every football memory he had of Africa. Decades later, the Zambian icon still commands admiration thousands of kilometres from home, his exploits in the famous Azteca Stadium etched into Mexican football folklore.
Mention that you’re from Africa, and local football supporters instantly become historians. First comes the playful attempt to trace whether you come from the Zambian legend’s “neighbourhood”. Then follows the inevitable journey down memory lane, as they excitedly relive a football moment so iconic that, decades later, it remains impossible for them to forget.
Without a doubt, local fans still idolise “King Kalu”. And it’s hardly surprising. After his stint at the Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, the 1988 African footballer of the year enjoyed a successful spell and became a household name at one of Mexico’s biggest sides, Club América, from 1994 to 1997.
As part of its centenary celebrations in 2016, Bwalya was inducted into Club America’s Hall of Fame. During his time at the club, he scored 21 goals in 88 matches. He also had a brief stint at Club Necaxa, Club Leon, Irapuato Veracruz and Correcaminos, all in Mexico.
WHAT INFAMOUS INCIDENT MEXICANS DO NOT FORGET ABOUT KING KALUSHA BWALYA
But one thing the Mexicans don’t forget is the infamous miss for Club America in the dying seconds of a quarter-final match against Cruz Azul during the 1995/96 season.
The score was 2-2 at the time, and Zambian beat an opponent from his own half and ran the entire length of the field. With the opponent goalkeeper already out of his post, Bwalya only had the net wide open to score. Unfortunately, the ball struck the goal post, much to the dismay of the supporters from both teams. Fortunately for him, his side won 3-2 on aggregate.
AFRICAN FOOTBALL LEGEND LEAVES A LIVING LEGACY IN NORTH AMERICA
During a DiDi taxi ride, the driver asked whether Bwalya was still alive. Naturally, I told him he was. But with one of us speaking Spanish and the other Venda, the conversation could only travel so far.
It was only on the day after Bafana Bafana‘s dismal performance in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico that the “King Kalu” conversation came back.
This time around, I was lucky enough to be in a DIDI ride with the driver, Oscar Gomez, who spoke English fluently. He also asked about the Zambian, until I asked him why everyone had asked me about Kalusha.
This prompted me to request that I speak to him on record as he narrates the story of one of the greatest African players.
“Everyone remembers Kalusha in Mexico. If you talk to anyone and ask about Kalusha, I am pretty sure that almost everyone will remember him,” those were the first words by Gomez after I asked to record him.
KING KALU DESCRIBED AS A GREAT PLAYER, EVEN BY CLUB RIVALS
“He was very good. I remember that he was a very fast guy. He was also tall. I can not say he lacked luck because his football talked on his behalf.
“He has a history right here. I can bet that he is in a lot of people’s hearts, very important people like the owner of Club America. People in higher ranks within the team and government.”
“For example, I am the biggest fan of Guadalajara [Club America’s biggest rivals], but I remember Kalusha,” he narrated.
“But I remember one moment when he was playing at Estadio Azteca. He ran towards the goal, but he couldn’t score. A lot of people remember him for that mistake. But if you are a Club America supporter, I am pretty sure that everyone will tell you he was a great player.”
RELATED STORY: Dikgacoi explains the tactical errors that cost Bafana in World Cup opener