1994 AFCON Chipolopolo stars relive Pele’s golden handshake
Five members of Chipolopolo’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runners-up side paid tribute to Pele and reflected on the golden handshake during the medals ceremony.
Pele, who died at 82 on Thursday after a long battle with Cancer, won three FIFA World Cup titles with Brazil, with the last one coming in 1970 in Mexico.
The icon was guest of honour at the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia together with French legend Michel Platini in the final that Zambia lost 2-1 to Nigeria.
Joel Bwalya, Linos Makwaza, Zeddy Saileti, Aggrey Chiyangiand Kenneth ‘Bubble’ Malitoli all spoke about the surprise awaiting them in the VIP box as they went up the stairs to pick up their silver medals.
“I remember meeting him in 1994 and was very happy to have done that especially after reading his book. He was a great man and football person,” Bwalya said.
THE IMPACT OF ZAMBIA’S STARS MEETING PELE
Chiyangi, who went on to coach Chipolopolo in two spells, said meeting Pele just lifted the team after the final in which they had taken a 3rd minute lead before Emmanuel Amunike struck twice in each half to break Zambia’s hearts.
“We lost the match but just imagine being consoled by a great player like Pele,” Chiyangi said.
“Pele was such a global star. Growing up, we watched his clips, sometimes you go to the cinemas, and before the movies start, you are made to watch clips of Brazil training or some matches, he was a marvel to watch.”
Striker Saileti described meeting Pele as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
WHAT MEETING PELE MEANT FOR SAILETI
“What can I say, he was a legend. I look back to that handshake and think to myself ‘wow, it was a big moment in my career’ that was such a big motivation to us,” Saileti said.
Saileti scored one goal at the tournament in Zambia’s 4-0 semifinal victory over Mali.
And Zambia’s star in Tunisia, Malitoli, admits he is guilty of personally not completely honouring Pele after that meeting.
“He was such a huge figure but soft-spoken. I think I have that picture of him shaking my hands somewhere. It is time I framed it,” Malitoli said.
Malitoli was Zambia’s joint top scorer with two goals together with Elijah Tana.
He also scored the winner in Chipolopolo’s 1-0 group stage win over Cote d’Ivoire that saw Zambia beat The Elephants to top spot to advance to the quarterfinals.
And Makwaza said meeting Pele was one of three unforgettable experiences in his life.
“The news of his passing has brought back many memories of that year because it is the same year we also met Nelson Mandela and Platini,” Makwaza said.
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