Kondowe’s Bemba interview stuns Zambia media

Big Bullets captain Fischer Kondowe stunned the Zambia media when he insisted on being interviewed in the neighbouring country’s vernacular Bemba language on Friday.

Little did the Zambia press know that Kondowe, who proficiently spoke about the Flames chances against Zambia in yesterday’s friendly match, was born there.

Zambia Football Association (FAZ) website reports that when the press fired to Kondowe questions in English, he preferred Bemba. The winger was part of the Flames’ squad which faced Chipolopolo yesterday in Lusaka.

“Kondowe spoke to fazfootball.com this morning at Sunset Stadium. The veteran striker who was born in Kalulushi, Zambia shocked sports journalists when he said he would rather be interviewed in Bemba,” reads the website.

The association eventually posted on its website a clip of  Kondowe interview to generate comments from Zambian fans.

Kondowe, who is originally from Nkhata Bay District, returned home in the mid-1990s.

Mark Chipeta described Kondowe as “a true legend with a career that started in Zambia, took him to Big Bullets [the side that ousted Zanaco in the champions league and reached the last eight], before proceeding to Umtata Bush Bucs and Black Leopards FC in RSA.”

Another one, Ronald Mupeta, added: “It’s not surprising to me because even these artificial borders were just created by our colonial masters who did not even understand our language and culture. Welcome home one brother man. Remember, Chipolopolo temunobe!”

Kondowe predicted a tough match against Zambia. The dread-locked player cited Rainford Kalaba and Felix Katongo as “the two players that the Malawi team expects to cause havoc for the visitors.”