David Chabala

Chabala was born in Mufulira where his father was a miner, the fourth born in a family of 12. He started out as a striker and played for Lubuto Amateur Club in Mufulira where his career in goal started by accident at the age of 17. During a practice session, the regular goalkeeper was absent so Chabala was forced to man the posts by his colleagues. He reluctantly agreed but played so well and enjoyed playing in goal that he decided to make the switch permanent. In no time, he was recruited as Mufulira Wanderers' reserve goalkeeper by coaches Samuel Ndhlovu and Dickson Makwaza. He soon succeeded Bernard Kabwe in the first team, making his debut on 27 July 1980 in a league encounter against Lusaka Tigers at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira. With Wanderers trailing 2–0 at half-time, Chabala replaced Kabwe and the 'Mighty' men went on to win the match 3–2. Chabala played in goal for the Wanderers side which also featured other top players like Ashols Melu, Kalusha Bwalya, Frederick Kashimoto, brothers Philemon Kaunda and Philemon Mulala, and later Charles Musonda and Johnson Bwalya. This Wanderers side dominated Zambian cup competitions during the eighties and early nineties, earning the tag 'legendary cup fighters.' However, Wanderers never won the Zambian league championship during this period. He was voted Zambian Sportsman of the Year in 1985 and in the 1988 season, he surprised many Zambian soccer purists by donning a striker's jersey for Wanderers, but he went on to score five…

Zambian Cup (Independence Cup/Mosi Cup): 1988, 1995 Zambian Challenge Cup (Shell Challenge Cup/BP Challenge Cup/ BP Top Eight Cup): 1984, 1986, 1994, 1996, 1997 Heroes and Unity Cup: 1985, 1987, 1988 Champion of Champions Cup: 1985, 1988, 1992 Charity Shield: 1992, 1993 National Team

CECAFA Cup: 1984 MPLA trophy: 1986 SADCC Cup: 1990 Individual Honours

Zambian Sportsman of the Year: 1985