Veteran ex-Chipolopolo and Zambia U20 coach Patrick Phiri has paid tribute to the late former international midfielder Shy Kumwanda.
Kumwenda, 50, died at Lusaka General Hospital on Friday after suffering a stroke earlier in the week.
The late Kumwenda was one of the rising stars in the mid-1990s during a transitional period for Chipolopolo post-1993 Gabon Aircrash that claimed the lives of the Zambia national team.
Kumwenda was part of Phiri’s Zambia U17 team that lifted the 1995 COSAFA U20 Cup in Lesotho where the midfielder was the breakout star.
Phiri said in an interview that Kumwenda was an exceptional talent.
“He was an icon in his own right he had a vision from a very young age. We were so proud to have been associated with him despite being so young,” Phiri said.
“He inspired us so much to work harder and we helped him and everyone else to realise his dream.”
Kumwenda’s all-round midfield attributes included his mastery of the set-piece.
He was particularly a major threat from corners where every goalkeeper dreaded to be at the vulnerable end of the ball curling straight in for a goal.
“He was gifted and if you see him for the first time you can see that he had a special gift when he handles the ball is like you see a Ronaldo,” Phiri said.
“From the first control you can see he was a specially gifted player, and in a match, he always believed in winning so he always used to pass on that feeling to his teammates whenever he played.
“He never believed in losing he always wanted to win which was the greatest asset he had.”
Kumwenda played for Profund Warriors now Napsa Stars and later joined Zamsure.
He also featured for Nkana and Nakambala Leopards.
Kumwenda was put to rest in Lusaka yesterday.
