One Of The Studiums To Be Named After Liwewe

Deputy sports minister Christopher Mulenga has asked President Michael Sata to name one of the new stadia after Dennis Liwewe.
And Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe says the death of Liwewe is a loss for Zambian and African football. In an interview at the house of mourning, Mulenga said the legendary football commentator who died in Lusaka on Tuesday should be honoured and remembered as Zambia celebrates its 50th independence anniversary. He said as part of Zambia’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, President Sata should recognise Liwewe for his efforts in making Zambian football known at international level. “My prayer is that the Head of State can recognise and honour him as a person that sold Zambia to the world in terms of soccer.
He worked so hard to sell Zambia out there. It’s sad that he has not managed to reach the date of Zambia’s independence. He needs to be remembered as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee, the fifty years of our independence. I pray that the Head of State can recognise him and honour him. One of these stadia we as a ministry are constructing should be named after him,” said Mulenga. Rupiah Banda also visited the house of mourning and signed the book of condolences. Banda, who arrived around midday, spent time speaking with Ponga Liwewe, before leaving about an hour later.
He described Liwewe as a man who would be hard to replace. “I have great memories of this great man; we were together all over the world. In particular we were together in Cairo in 1974 when Zambia went the final of the Africa Cup and had a replay against Zaire. I spent many quality times with Dennis; it’s a great loss to Zambia and the region,” said Banda. And FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya, who arrived at the house at 14:00 hours, said Liwewe reminded him of his late father Benjamin who encouraged the 1988 Africa footballer of the year to play soccer.
Meanwhile, Munkombwe, one of the founders of the Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association, said Liwewe encouraged him and others to form the current association in the 1970s. “I can tell you that the country and Africa has lost a hero in as far as football is concerned. He made a name and much so, he made it in a proper manner,” Munkombwe said. He added that Liwewe read the game as if he was magnetic. “I founded the Chipolopolo soccer association in the early 1970s with a man called Malasa, Rupiah Banda, William Harington. It was a powerful team and one of the people who encouraged us was Dennis Liwewe,’ he said.
Liwewe, 77 died in the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka on Tuesday. Munkombwe, who attempted to imitate Liwewe’s commentary in a game featuring Moses Simwala, Brighton Sinyangwe and Godfrey Chitalu, cut short his efforts and said the late commentator would never be replaced.
“I don’t think that man is replaceable. Many people have been trying to mimic his voice but I don’t think anybody will reach that level. He used to call me badala (old man). May his soul rest in peace,” said Munkombwe.