38 Facts About Godfrey Chitalu

Godfrey Chitalu, nicknamed Ucar, was a Zambian footballer who played as a forward.

Godfrey Chitalu is widely regarded as the greatest Zambian player of all time as he holds his national team's goalscoring record and was voted Zambian footballer of the year five times.

The Football Association of Zambia claimed that Chitalu scored more than 100 goals in all competitions in 1972, more than Gerd Muller's total in the same year and Lionel Messi's total in 2012, both of which are often referred to by journalist as "world records".

Godfrey Kangwa Chitalu was born in Luanshya, on the Copperbelt Province, where his father Lucian Chitalu worked as a miner and served as a Local Court Justice, while his mother Emeriah Chitalu was a housewife.

Godfrey Chitalu grew up in Section 9 of Roan Mine Township with 9 siblings, Godfrey was the seventh to be born.

Godfrey Chitalu loved playing football, but the rough nature of the games meant that he suffered from many injuries.

Godfrey Chitalu 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.

Godfrey Chitalu passed this trial and joined several other young talents, including another Zambian international, Willie Chifita.

Godfrey Chitalu's talent was noticed by a club trainer called Tirivavi, who encouraged him to concentrate on playing football and forget about boxing so he hung up his gloves conditioned too by the fact that not many boys of his age were interested in the sport.

Godfrey Chitalu went to stay with his elder brother Stanley in Chingola and continued his studies at Mushishima Secondary School and played for the school team at inside-left.

Kitwe United United captain and Zambian international Emment Kapengwe watched him play for Kwacha I and advised him to try out for a Division I team, where he was sure Godfrey Chitalu would make the grade so he ended up joining Kitwe's reserves upon being invited by club chairman Jethro Ngwane who was looking for young talent for his team.

Late in 1964, Godfrey Chitalu came to the attention of Zambian National Football League Division 1 side Kitwe United.

In 1965 Godfrey Chitalu spent most of the season in the reserves and was promoted to the first team at the end of the season.

Godfrey Chitalu refused to leave the pitch and had to be escorted off by a Kitwe United official.

Godfrey Chitalu only scored around 8 goals this season, but his next season would have been one of best he's done.

Godfrey Chitalu responded that it was a bit tricky for him but he was ready for the challenge and did not want to let the team down.

Godfrey Chitalu said each time he had committed an offence in the past, he used to question the referee but Kitwe United officials had been responsible for changing his character.

At the start of the season, Godfrey Chitalu scored 18 goals in 9 league and cup matches.

In June 1969, Godfrey Chitalu was in trouble with the authorities yet again when he was fined and suspended for six weeks after being sent off in an exhibition game between Zambia and Cardiff City, for hacking Cardiff defender Brian Harris.

Godfrey Chitalu was suspended for six months for leaving the national team's training camp without permission, despite his explanation that he was unwell and had gone to seek treatment from his doctor in Luanshya.

Godfrey Chitalu returned to action in the year 1970 after serving five months and missing the first month of league games.

In 1971, Godfrey Chitalu moved to Kabwe with the intention of joining Kabwe Warriors.

Godfrey Chitalu appealed to the National Football League and the transfer was eventually given the green light at a reduced fee of K3,500.

Godfrey Chitalu won the league and Chibuku Cup double in his first season at Kabwe Warriors and ended the year as top scorer with 51 goals for club and country.

Godfrey Chitalu tied for top scorer with Bernard Chanda in the 1973 season, and led the scoring charts as well in 1974.

Godfrey Chitalu was runner-up to Bernard Chanda in the 1976 scoring duel, finishing with 31 goals which was seven less than "the Bomber's".

Godfrey Chitalu lost out to surprise winner Vincent Chileshe for the 1977 Footballer of the Year award but was named the country's Sportsman of the Year.

Godfrey Chitalu became the first man to win the Zambian Footballer of the Year award in consecutive seasons in 1978 and 1979.

Godfrey Chitalu made a comeback the following year after which he retired from the game at the end of the season.

Godfrey 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.

On 25 May 1981, Godfrey Chitalu was bestowed with the Insignia of Honour by Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda for his contribution to Zambian football.

Godfrey Chitalu got involved in coaching as early as 1975, when he served as assistant player-coach at Kabwe Warriors.

Godfrey Chitalu called the 5 minutes added time 'the longest five minutes of his life.

Later that year, Godfrey Chitalu received an honorary diploma for Fair Play from the International Fair Play Committee at the awards ceremony on 3 November 1988 in Paris, after he came out second to Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj in a poll to honour some of the world's most outstanding sports personalities.

However, Simwala fell ill before he could take charge of the team and Godfrey Chitalu was appointed head coach.

Godfrey Chitalu had a record of 4 wins, a draw and 1 loss with 13 goals scored and 3 conceded.

Godfrey Chitalu married Christine Chibale in October 1972, in between two matches against Ghana's Hearts of Oak in the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

Data presented by the Football Association of Zambia regarding the 1972 calendar year and the 1972 season suggests Godfrey Chitalu could be holder of world records such as most official goals in a year and most official goals in a season.