Written by: Mr. Brian Mulenga
In Zambian soccer circles, there is an enduring legend of a goalkeeper who reportedly died in goal while defending it against a Congolese team using supernatural forces. According to the tale, the goalkeeper made one final brilliant save just before the final whistle, clutching the ball in his last gasp save, only to die moments later.
The first time the author, Brian Mulenga, heard this story was in 1974 when he was a young boy. It was around the time when Zambia and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) had a series of games in 1973 and 1974. During that period, Zambia came close to qualifying for the World Cup, but they lost a home-and-away series 3-2 to Zaire. Zambia had won 2-1 in Ndola at the Dag Hammarskjold Stadium, only to lose 2-0 in the decisive final match that determined the World Cup qualifiers.
Later, in the 1974 Africa Cup final, Zambia and Zaire played again. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw, but Zaire emerged victorious 2-0 in the replay. The Congolese were impressed with the quality of Zambian players, particularly the goalkeepers, Joseph Chomba and Emmanuel Mwape, and they acknowledged how much Zambian goalkeepers had improved over the years.
Despite the respect the Congolese had for the Zambian goalkeepers, the Kafwanayo legend resurfaced during these discussions. However, it was soon revealed that the story was nothing more than a fabrication. There had never been an incident like the one described in the legend.
The truth behind the legend can be traced back to the 1950s when Zambian teams began facing Congolese teams, with the first matches dating back to 1943. During this early period, the Congolese teams were far superior, and the scorelines were often humiliating. Zambia suffered several heavy defeats, with scores such as 12-0 and 9-1 being common. The worst defeat in Zambia's history came in 1968 when they lost 10-1 to Congo, the reigning African champions at the time.
After such crushing defeats, players started coming up with various excuses to explain the losses. Some embarrassed goalkeepers claimed that they had seen lions, knives, and even locomotives when facing shots from Congolese strikers. They believed that trying to stop these apparitions would result in certain death.
One Zambian goalkeeper who stood out during these tough times was Yotham Mabange from Luanshya. Mabange was a tall, agile, and courageous goalkeeper who was known for keeping the scorelines respectable during Zambia's encounters with the Congolese. In 1977, Mabange was profiled in the Mining Mirror, and the article featured an image of him making a brilliant two-fisted clearance from a high ball.
Mabange was warned that he would face magic and juju when playing against the Congolese, but he remained steadfast in his determination to defend his goal. He famously vowed that he would die defending his goal, no matter what supernatural forces he might face. In Bemba, he said, "Nka fwa nayo," which translates to "I will die for it."
True to his word, Mabange faced the Congolese with unwavering courage. Although the Kafwanayo legend grew out of the myths surrounding these early encounters, it remains an important part of Zambian soccer folklore, reminding us of the determination and bravery of players like Yotham Mabange in the face of overwhelming odds.
credit: Mr. Brian Mulenga
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