FRANCIS CHIPALO writes
HECTOR Chilombo, the renowned former Zambia under-20 national team and City of Lusaka coach, has died.
Chilombo, 50, died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka around 04:00 yesterday.
Chilombo, 50, died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka around 04:00 yesterday.
Family spokesperson Dennis Sikazwe Chilombo confirmed the death of his young brother in a statement.
“It is true that my young brother Hector has died. He died this morning,” Sikazwe said.
He said the family has been robbed of a hardworking man.
City of Lusaka Football Club Secretary Bonwell Mwewa said the club is deeply saddened by the death of its coach while Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA) president Dan Kabwe described Chilombo’s demise as “a big loss to the footballing community in the nation.”“We have lost someone who we thought would take the mantle from us and he has just gone too soon because he had a lot to offer to the nation,” said Kabwe who also expressed condolences to the bereaved family on the loss on behalf of the coaches association.
The late Chilombo played for Nchanga Rangers in the mid 90’s and was part of the reconstituted 94 Zambia National Team, that finished second at the Tunis 94 Africa Cup of Nations and third at the 1996 Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Chilombo went into coaching after he hang up his boots in early 2000. Nchanga Rangers, Forest Rangers, Napsa Stars and Nakambala Leopards are among the clubs that he drilled.
He also had a brief coaching stint with demoted Super league side Nchanga Rangers shortly before his death.
The funeral for the former Zambia under-20 national team and City of Lusaka coach is at his House, at NAPSA Flats, in Lusaka’s Emmasdale area.
He leaves behind a wife and three children.
