By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA
and GWEN CHIPASULA –
. SIMUKONDA
ZAMBIA Under-23 soccer team coach Fighton Simukonda has died after an unsuccessful battle with diabetes.
Simukonda died yesterday morning on a date he was supposed to celebrate his 58th birthday.
He had been in hospital since December 12 after returning from Senegal following the U-23 early exit from the Senegal 2015 CAF African Championship.
Simukonda, who won the Zambian Coach-of-the-Year accolade three times, was undergoing treated for diabetes that was exacerbated by a foot wound but was discharged on January 29 only to be admitted a week later.
At the time of his death, Simukonda was also assistant coach for the Chipolopolo and head coach at Konkola Copper Mines sponsored MTN-FAZ Super League side, Nchanga Rangers.
Funeral is being held at House Number 68, 8th Street, Nchanga South in Chingola.
Simukonda was one of Zambia most decorated coaches with an impressive record especially at club level where he guided Zesco United to reaching the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time as well as winning the COSAFA Cup in 1998.
“It is with deep sorrow that KCM announces the death of Mr Fighton Simukonda, the Head Coach of Nchanga Rangers Football Club (NRFC). The late Simukonda died at about 06:00 hours, February 15 at the Konkola Mine Hospital in Chililabombwe, after an illness,” KCM manager public relations and communications Shapi Shachinda said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Under-23 players said they have not only lost a coach, but also a father in Simukonda.
Toaster Nsabata, who served as Simukonda’s captain, said the late worked hard to raise the profile of the team which he qualified to the African Championship.
Nsabata said in an interview that Simukonda was always there for the players both as a coach and a father.
“I am very disturbed with this news. To me, he was more than a coach. He motivated me and I can humbly say, I am where I am in football today because of him,” he said.
Vice captain Salulani Phiri said Simukonda will be greatly missed not only by the Under-23 team but every Zambian footballer.
Youngster Conlyde Luchanga, who was handed his Under-23 debut call-up by Simukonda, said the late believed in young talented players.
“It is really sad, ‘Coach-Figh’ believed in us young players because he would always treat us like his own children. We will greatly miss him,” he said.
Striker Patson Daka, who played under Simukonda at both Under-23 and Rangers before moving to Power, said he was devastated with news.
Daka said Simukonda was always there to push the players to work hard and spoke to them on a personal level as well.
Chipolopolo defender Buchizya Mfune described Simukonda as a mentor, a teacher and a father.
“We were so free with him. He was not just a coach to us but also a very good mentor and friend, this is such a huge loss to us players and we will greatly miss him,” he said.
SIMUKONDA FACT FILE
Playing Career:
1976–1978 Mimbula Diggers FC
1978–1980 KB Davies FC
1980–1982 Vitafoam United
1982–1989 Nkana
1989–1991 Jomo Cosmos
1991–1992 Blackpool F.C. (SA)
1992 Dangerous Darkies
Honours
League Title : 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988
Charity Shield : 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989
Independence Cup : 1981, 1986
Heinrich Cup :1983
Champion of Champion : 1986
National honours
CECAFA Cup : 1984 in Kenya
MPLA Trophy : 1986 in Angola
Coaching honours
Premier League :2005, 2006, 2010
Mosi Cup :1994, 1996
BP Top 8 :1995, 2008
Coca Cola Cup : 2004
Barclays Cup : 2010
Charity Shield : 2006, 2011
COSAFA Cup :1998
Coach of the Year :2005, 2009, 2010
