Elusive ex-Zambia midfielder Charles Musonda has proposed that a curtain raiser involving youth teams be played prior to the 2026 ABSA Cup final between Power Dynamos and Red Arrows at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday.
Musonda suggested that the Under-16 team for both clubs can square off before the final or provincial select sides.
The former Mighty Mufulira Wanderers playmaker said if it is too late to consider his proposal this term it can be implemented next season.
Musonda recalled the promotion of youth football through junior teams as curtain raisers for main matches in the past.
“The ABSA Cup is well presented and well sponsored. As I think about the upcoming final, I wonder whether Red Arrows and Power Dynamos have Under 16 academy teams,” he stated in face-book post.
“I would love to watch them and so would many Zambians. ABSA can’t really say “no” indeed it’s late or inconvenient, next year right. It wouldn’t be bad,” Musonda wrote.
“Reason U16 teams should be present to play as curtain raisers at the ABSA Cup final. If not, then U17 Copperbelt – Midlands as a “curtain raiser”. That would be something special. Isn’t it? I remember playing Werder Bremen U14 from Germany at Independence stadium “valuable indeed” history repeats itself,” he continued.
Musonda said curtain raiser matches can inspire the next crop of players.
“When we were young at Shinde Stadium, Mighty were playing against Young Africans from Tanzania, and we were given a chance to play a curtain raiser against Buyantanshi, coached by Coach Zion. That day, we enjoyed the ground. The Maseki boys we won 6-0 coached by me. Mighty first team had already arrived and were watching us. That match remains one of our best memories as curtain raisers. These are the kinds of games that can inspire the next generation and they are worth watching. They could even be televised,” he recalled.
This season’s ABSA Cup has seen lower division teams competing with those in the Super League.
Chirundu United from the National League went as far as the semifinal stage after eliminating Zanaco and Kabwe Warriors.
I wonder why there are no curtain raisers any more. Is it because sponsors don’t want them?. I grew up on the copperbelt and all football matches there used to have curtain raisers. We used to call them “ba second” This promoted talent.
At one time Mufulira schools teams even had “ba Third”. That’s how popular soccer was on the copperbelt.
Suddenly the talent seems to have disappeared.
Yes FAZ needs a big think tank to take us to another Afcon title. We need to be focused and not just play football for kicking a ball. We should be ambitious. Not just chipantepante. How for instance can FAZ turn the current fixtures into highscoring games? Let’s see some action