Vincent Chileshe was crowned Zambian player of the year in 1977 at the age of 20, the first goalkeeper to achieve that feat, and was in goal for Zambia at CAN 1978.
16 Facts About Vincent Chileshe
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Vincent Chileshe is currently coaching Zambian Division 2 side Young Green Eagles.
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Vincent Chileshe's elder brother Richard played for Bancroft Blades in the late 1960s while his younger brother Stephen was a reserve goalkeeper at Nchanga Rangers in the 1980s when Chileshe kept goal for the main team.
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Besides playing for his school Ndelela Primary, Vincent Chileshe joined Kalala Amateur Football Club in 1969 at the age of twelve.
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Vincent Chileshe was inspired to become a goalkeeper by Mufulira Wanderers goalkeeper Tolomeo "Juva" Mwansa and while listening to football commentaries, Chileshe would tell his friends that he wanted to be a national team goalkeeper and to be heard on radio.
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Vincent Chileshe became a regular in 1975 by which time Roan United had developed interest in him.
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Vincent Chileshe crossed over to Roan but it was not easy to win a regular place because national team goalkeeper Emmanuel Mwape was their number one choice and the reserve goalkeeper was Simon Chande who was equally good.
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Vincent Chileshe was however backed by national team captain Ackim Musenge who said he deserved the award, rather than picking on old timers all the time.
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Vincent Chileshe himself said he did not expect the award but he was pleased that he had won it.
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In 1981, Vincent Chileshe was loaned to league champions Nchanga Rangers to help them in their quest to win the African Club Champions Cup but disaster struck when Vincent Chileshe broke his right leg in the 85th minute of a league match against Mufulira Wanderers in April 1981 when he collided with Ashols Melu.
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Vincent Chileshe was then recalled to the national team and was one of the reserve goalkeepers when Zambia emerged victorious at CECAFA 1984 and he described it as a very emotional moment because he had participated in 4 previous tournaments and they had always failed to finish first.
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Vincent Chileshe retired from international football soon after that, his last appearance for Zambia coming on 2 February 1985 in a friendly against Zimbabwe in Gweru.
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In 1986, Vincent Chileshe was appointed player-coach at Zesco and won them the 1986 Division I title and promotion to the premier league and led them to another BP Challenge Cup runners-up slot when they lost to Division I side Zanaco in 1987.
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In 1990, Vincent Chileshe decided to go to Swaziland where he coached various teams in a period of 5 years: Police Leopards, Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Swallows.
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Vincent Chileshe gave up the City job after being offered the goalkeeping coach's job for the Swaziland national team where he worked with Dodge Mahlahlela and Kinnah Phiri.
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Vincent Chileshe was in Swaziland until 2002 when his contract expired and is currently coaching FAZ Division II side Young Green Eagles in Kafue.