39 Facts About Samuel Ndhlovu

Samuel Ndhlovu was a Zambian footballer and coach.

Samuel Ndhlovu was named Zambian Sportsman of the Year in 1964 and served the national team as captain and coach.

Samuel Ndhlovu is widely regarded as Zambia's best local coach.

Samuel Ndhlovu went to Kankoyo Mine School where he excelled in various sport disciplines and it was from there that he joined the Mufulira Mine Team in 1956.

Samuel Ndhlovu earned the nickname "Zoom" when a Wanderers fan who could not fathom how easily he dribbled past defenders started calling him 'Sumu' instead of 'Sam.

Samuel Ndhlovu was the ultimate entertainer for his skill on the ball, close control and deadly shooting were a marvel to witness and few Zambian soccer fans could claim to have never heard of the name "Zoom".

Samuel Ndhlovu called winning the Super Castle Cup was one of the greatest moments of his career.

Samuel Ndhlovu's popularity was such that he was featured on adverts for various products and on 25 October 1973, he was bestowed with the Insignia of Honour by President Kenneth Kaunda for his service to Zambian football, the first footballer to get such an award.

Samuel Ndhlovu first featured for Northern Rhodesia in 1956, making his debut against a Congolese Select side as an eighteen year old.

Samuel Ndhlovu was in the Zambian national team at independence in October 1964 and was reported to have made more appearances than any other Zambian player at the time.

Samuel Ndhlovu won the Kenya Republic Cup in 1964, the Rothmans International trophy against Kenya in 1965 and the Heroes Cup against Uganda in 1968.

Samuel Ndhlovu was made Zambian captain in 1965, replacing Jackie Sewell.

Samuel Ndhlovu defended his behaviour on the Camerounian trip and the matter dragged on in the press and he even considered quitting football altogether as it 'was not the only sport that he could play.

Samuel Ndhlovu made 21 international appearances for Zambia scoring 8 goals from 1964 to 1969.

Samuel Ndhlovu got involved in coaching at Wanderers from as early as 1966 when he became player coach replacing Harry McQuillan.

Samuel Ndhlovu was first appointed national team trainer in 1967 for a trip to Tanzania in July but was unable to make the trip due to work commitments.

Samuel Ndhlovu was appointed national player-coach again when a team was assembled to play Congo DR in Kinshasa.

Samuel Ndhlovu said this was the worst game of his career and he was so shattered that he could not eat after the game.

Samuel Ndhlovu went on to nurture players like Ashols Melu, Efford Chabala, Kalusha Bwalya, Charles Musonda and Johnson Bwalya.

Samuel Ndhlovu was the assistant coach to Bill McGarry, Wieslaw Grawboski and Geoff Butler and when the Zambia Football Coaches Association was formed, he was elected chairman.

Samuel Ndhlovu succeeded Butler as Overseer for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines sponsored club coaches in February 1987and did a lot to motivate many local coaches.

Samuel Ndhlovu commanded a lot of respect from players and fellow coaches and was called 'Sir Zoom.

Samuel Ndhlovu was a proponent of the attacking game and under him Zambia recorded impressive results.

Samuel Ndhlovu had an exceptional home record but his Achilles' heel was that he could never get a result away from home when it really mattered.

Samuel Ndhlovu appealed for calm and reminded fans that 'emotions never win a war.

Samuel Ndhlovu later relented and said he was ready to work with Figge who politely declined.

Samuel Ndhlovu was particularly incensed by a popular radio programme which questioned his reluctance to step aside and give chance to others.

Samuel Ndhlovu said he was not surprised with the move charging that his dismissal was a fulfilment of a campaign pledge by the newly elected FAZ executive.

Samuel Ndhlovu then packed his bags and headed for Lobatse in Botswana where he took charge of one of the country's top clubs LCS Gunners.

Samuel Ndhlovu heard of the plane crash in Botswana and reflected that he would have been on that aircraft had he not decided to come to Botswana after falling out with the FAZ officials.

Samuel Ndhlovu went on to win the league with the Gunners in 1994 and returned home in 1996 when he decided not to renew his contract.

Samuel Ndhlovu, who worked as a Community Development Officer and then as Chief Community Development Officer for Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines in Mufulira was not for the idea of being employed as full-time coach and he rendered his services to the nation on secondment from ZCCM.

Samuel Ndhlovu then went back to Mufulira to help out at Wanderers and took a low profile until 2000 when he contested the FAZ presidency but lost to Evaristo Kasunga by a landslide margin.

Samuel Ndhlovu was more than a footballer but was an all-round sportsman.

Samuel Ndhlovu was a good boxer but decided it was rough and switched to soccer and joined Mufulira Mine Team.

Samuel Ndhlovu was an accomplished golfer, a single figure handicap with a consistent and athletic swing.

Samuel Ndhlovu was a popular member of Mufulira Golf Club and served on the management committee for many years.

Samuel Ndhlovu first experienced poor health in February 2000 when he collapsed during a training session at Central Sports Stadium in Mufulira.

Samuel Ndhlovu was survived by a wife and two sons.