24 Facts About Moses Simwala

Moses Simwala was a Zambian footballer and coach.

Moses Simwala was voted Zambian coach of the year in 1988 and 1989.

Moses Simwala was born in Kitwe to Katontoka and Belita Jimwala who originated from the North-Western Province of Zambia and settled in the Copperbelt town of Kalulushi, after which the family name changed to Moses Simwala.

Moses Simwala was the third born of six sons and three daughters and played with home-made footballs with his friends at Twibukishe open grounds.

Moses Simwala went to Wusaklie Primary School in 1959 and later moved to Nkana Primary School from where he was selected to Luanshimba Secondary School in 1966.

Moses Simwala started playing football for the school team at Luanshimba in 1966, the same year in which he joined Rhokana United.

Moses Simwala was encouraged by the support from teammates Freddie Mwila, Stone Chibwe and Henry Kalimukwa who gave him advice and guidance in football.

In October 1977, Chanda was suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons and Moses Simwala replaced him as club captain.

Moses Simwala first featured for the Zambia national team in October 1969 against Congolese club Daring Falcons in a three match series for the BAT Independence trophy, while he was still a schoolboy.

Moses Simwala was a squad member at CAN 1974 where Zambia reached the final only to lose to Zaire after a replay.

Moses Simwala was part of Zambia's Olympic Games squad at Moscow 1980 and played all three games as Zambia bowed out in the first round.

In 1980, Moses Simwala was appointed Rhokana United coach under Englishman Jeff Butler.

Moses Simwala bounced back the following season and led Nkana to the 1986 title and though Nkana had done well in the league under Moses Simwala, they had had a dismal run in cup competitions.

Moses Simwala was rewarded with a coach of the year nomination but lost out to Roy Mulenga of Division I side ZESCO United, who uttered some unfavourable comments about Moses Simwala when fans questioned his credentials for winning the award.

In 1990, Moses Simwala attended a 3-month coaching course in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where he had the opportunity of meeting Pele who lectured the attendees and gave them tips.

In 1992, Moses Simwala was appointed assistant national team coach to Samuel "Zoom" Ndhlovu.

Moses Simwala was picked to replace Ndhlovu as interim Zambian coach after Zambia lost a World Cup qualifier in Madagascar in December 1992, with Godfrey Chitalu and Alex Chola as his assistants.

Moses Simwala should go fishing if he has nothing better to do.

That same year, Moses Simwala had a coaching stint at Swansea in Wales for 6 weeks.

In 1989, Moses Simwala incensed the Referees Association of Zambia with his comments after a league game, when he remarked that his wife would have handled the game better than the referee who was in charge on the day.

Moses Simwala first experienced poor health when he was appointed interim national team trainer in January 1993 but was hospitalised at Nkana Mine Hospital as the team went into camp in Kabwe.

Moses Simwala spent more time in hospital in Kitwe, was discharged but readmitted after complaining of a persistent cough and general weakness.

Nkana management then took the decision to appoint Ben Bamfuchile as coach until such a time when Moses Simwala recovered fully and in the meantime, handed him the role of Technical Advisor.

Moses Simwala was put to rest at Chamboli Cemetery in Kitwe and was survived by a wife and five children.