Godfrey Chitalu

Kitwe United

Late in 1964, Chitalu came to the attention of Zambian National Football League Division 1 side Kitwe United. Their chairman, Jethro Ngwane, was on the lookout for young, promising players for his team. During one of his many trips, to watch community matches, Jehtro spotted Godfrey, who had a great eye for goal and he sensed that he had a great eye for goal. Jethro invited him to Buchi Stadium, where joined the reserve team. In 1965 Chitalu spent most of the season in the reserves and was promoted to the first team at the end of the season. It wasn't until October 1965, in the final game of the season, he broke into the first team. He was 17 at this point. He scored in a 2–1 victory against Rhokana United as they finished 3rd in the league. In 1966 now wearing the number 10 shirt for Kitwe United, cemented his place in the side and was one of its leading scorers, with 14 goals, although the team could only manage a sixth-place finish. Although Chitalu played regularly, his future was still undecided. It was Kitwe United's skipper and Zambian star, Emment Kapengwe, who encouraged Chitalu to take football seriously. The strong and aggressive teenager, who admired the Scottish striker Denis Law, showed plenty of skill but also had a reputation for being temperamental and rough. In his own words, "he could not stand being booted without retaliation". Chitalu made it to the final of the Challenge Cup with Kitwe United but lost 5–1 to Rhokana United. In this…

Chitalu made his international debut on 29 June 1968 in a friendly match against Uganda in Lusaka which Zambia won 2–1. He scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against the same team five days later. Chitalu played a prominent role during the World Cup qualification matches against Sudan with Zambia being eliminated on a strange rule which was peculiar to Africa and favoured the team that won the second leg. Despite the aggregate score being tied at 6–6 after Zambia won the first leg 4–2 and lost the return leg by the same margin, Sudan advanced to the Second Round as they scored more goals in the second match. Planned protests led to nothing as FIFA explained:

“Qualifying matches in Africa are governed by special rules and these state that if at the end of full time in the second leg the teams are equal on aggregate, 30 minutes of extra-time will be played. If at the end of extra-time, the aggregate score is still equal, then the team scoring the most goals in the second leg will be declared winner.” Chitalu was in the team that beat Nigeria 5–1 on 15 July 1973 in Lusaka to qualify to the 1974 African Cup of Nations. He featured for Zambia at the tournament and scored a goal against Egypt in a 3–1 loss. Zambia reached the final which they lost to Zaire after a replay. In April 1975, he was dropped from the national team and he watched the action from the sidelines for almost two years. He made a comeback when Zambia coach Brightwell Banda took charge of the team, coming off…

Chitalu got involved in coaching as early as 1975, when he served as assistant player-coach at Kabwe Warriors. In 1978, he was named interim national team coach for a two-match trip to Swaziland which Zambia comfortably won 6–1 and 5–2. After retirement, he was appointed assistant coach at Kabwe Warriors under Ilija Lukić. On 16 October 1983, Kabwe Warriors were trailing to Nkana Red Devils in a league match at Railways Stadium. According to reports, Lukić was first sent to the stands, and Nkana were later awarded a penalty in the 75th minute of the match. In the ensuing confusion, Chitalu rushed onto the field as if to talk to the referee and suddenly punched him in the face. This led to the game being abandoned. The club acted swiftly by removing Chitalu from his post and banning him from football activities for a year. Although he denied attacking the referee, the Football Association of Zambia meted out an even heavier punishment when they banned him for life and Kabwe Warriors were fined and docked points for the abandonment of the game. It seemed like an ignominious end for the famed goal-king but his club mounted an appeal and the life ban was lifted and replaced by a two-year probation period and a fine. The FAZ stated that "in view of Chitalu's outstanding contribution to the Zambian game," he was being given another chance. Later that year in October, Warriors dismissed veteran coach Lasky Mwandu and appointed Chitalu in his place and Warriors won the Independence…

Godfrey Kangwa Chitalu was born in Luanshya, on the Copperbelt Province, where his father Lucian Chitalu worked as a miner and also served as a Local Court Justice, while his mother Emeriah Chitalu was a housewife. He grew up in Section 9 of Roan Mine Township with 9 siblings, Godfrey was the seventh to be born. This is also where he played youth football barefoot, on the streets of the township as well as the numerous community grounds. Matches would take place between the different sections of the mine township. Buttons would be the main prize for winners, but instead, on some occasions money would be the price. This is where some games would end in fistfights, between the opposing teams. Chitalu loved playing football, but the rough nature of the games meant that he suffered from many injuries. Some of these injuries would include a broken arm, which would be broken more times in the future. At times, when he was in hospital, he would escape and go and play football with his friends. He began his formal education at Makoma Primary School in 1954 and managed to get a place in the school team at the age of 10. Shortly afterwards, he was surprised when the Recreation Officer, Bennie Evans, invited him to Fisansa Youth Club for a trial after which he started playing for the team as a centre-forward. He passed this trial and joined several other young talents, including another Zambian international, Willie Chifita. The youth club would often compete in the small league for…