Power Dynamos Football Club, one of Zambia’s most successful soccer teams, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The club has been a hub of football talent, inspiring young players to strive for greatness on and off the pitch. Among those inspired are father and son duo Linos Makwaza Senior and Junior.
Linos Makwaza Senior played as a striker for Power Dynamos in the 1990s, helping the team win multiple titles and the prestigious Mandela Cup. His son, Linos Makwaza Junior, is a defensive midfielder for the current Power Dynamos team. Junior has been with the club for three years and has already made a name for himself as a talented young player.
In an interview, both father and son shared their love for Power Dynamos and the game of soccer. Junior attributes his passion for the game to his father’s influence, even though he was initially reluctant to let his son follow in his footsteps. “My father thought I was just playing soccer, but I had the heart to play for Power Dynamos. After he knew that I was playing for the Under 17, he started giving me some encouragement to push forward, to work hard, and to stay disciplined,” Junior said.
Senior has always been a strong supporter of his son’s soccer dreams. He recalls how Junior’s passion for the game started at a very early age, often joining him for training sessions. “I have two kids who are playing for Power – Linos Junior and Mapalo, who’s playing for the Under 15. I’ve always encouraged them to play because they started, especially Lionel, started at a very early age at Power,” Senior said.
Both father and son have a deep respect for Power Dynamos and the club’s history. Senior fondly remembers the 1991 season when Power Dynamos won all the silverware, including the league and the Mandela Cup. Meanwhile, Junior has his sights set on following in his father’s footsteps and making his mark on the club’s history.
As Power Dynamos celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Makwaza family hopes to continue their legacy at the club. “We’ll do our best to work for Power Dynamos to make our supporters happy because we know they expect a lot from us. We’ll do our best to make them happy,” Junior said. Senior added, “50 years, I think it has been a long journey for Power. We have lost so many gallant people who have gone to be with the Lord, and I think it’s not easy to forget such a moment. And I think going forward that it’s important to celebrate such an anniversary.”
