One of Zambia’s most celebrated football stars in his prime was Johnson Bwalya. His pace and physique earned him the nickname among his fans, ‘One Man Commando’ mainly due to the way he used to bulldoze his way past his opponents.

Standing at only 1.74 meters in height Johnson Bwalya’s skill was a marvel to watch and he packed a ferocious shot that many goalkeepers found hard to stop. Born on 3rd December 1967 in Mufulira Johnson Bwalya began his footballing career at Butondo Western Tigers before being signed onto the books of Mighty Mufulira Wanderers in 1986. He only stayed at Wanderers for a season as he attracted interest from Swiss club FC Fribourg. He later went to play for FC Zurich, FC Bulle, SC Kriens and FC Sion all of Switzerland.

Bwalya’s performance was so impressive for Wanderers that he was voted as the Clubs footballer of the year. He was called to the Zambia National team in 1987 and made his debut against Malawi in the All Africa games qualifier played in Lusaka. Bwalya was also part of Zambia’s attacking force at the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he helped Zambia become the first African team to reach the quarterfinals of the event.

Zambia at the 1988 Seoul Olympics

He scored a memorable goal in the famous 4-0 demolition of Italy from 35 yards out, just one of his many long range crackers he would go on to score for Zambia. Bwalya was one the 3 survivors (Him, Charles Musonda and Kalusha Bwalya) who witnessed the entire team of players perish in that fateful plane crash in the 1993 Gabon disaster. Bwalya was on his way to meet up with the team in Senegal from his base in Zurich Switzerland, when he learnt of his teammates’ fate upon return from a four year injury lay-off.

For many years that followed, Johnson Bwalya and Kalusha Bwalya formed a formidable striking force in a newly assembled Zambian team, one example being their 2-1 victory against Morocco at Independence stadium, both players getting on the score sheet.

Many commentators were under the illusion that the pair were siblings most notably during the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 Tunisia and 1996 South Africa.

THROWBACK: Johnson Bwalya (from left in the bottom row wearing shirt number 7) at AFCON 1996 in South Africa

Johnson Bwalya helped Zambia reach the final of the AFCON in 1994 but lost out to Nigeria 2-1. In South Africa 1996 AFCON , Bwalya was also instrumental as Zambia finished in the Bronze position after beating Ghana 1-0. He also captained Zambia to COSAFA CUP glory in 1997.

Bwalya’s last call up to the National team was at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations where the player had a falling out with the controversial German coach Burkhard Ziese as Zambia endured a dismal campaign departing the tournament in the group stage.

The player has since retired from football and he is living a quiet and peaceful life in Switzerland.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer