Mukwima Chilala writes
Renowned sports and soccer personalities in the country have continued to pay tribute to Hector Chilombo, the former Zambia under 20 coach who passed away on Thursday morning.
Former Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) technical director Honor Janza described the death of Chilombo as a big loss to nation.
Janza, who is also former Zambia national soccer team coach said that it was sad to lose a coach of high profile at a time when the country was looking for good coaches to develop and take the game of Football to higher levels.
He described the late former under 20 coach who was his student as always wanting to share knowledge.
‘’He was ambitious to see his coaching career play a big part in the Zambian football and loved his job. He will be missed by the football family,’’ he said.
Meanwhile FAZ communications manager Nkweto Tembwe paid glowing tribute to the late Chilombo saying the late coach was a man who had great passion for Zambian football.
“Very sad news indeed to lose such a man who had great passion for Zambian football,” he said.
He described the late Chilombo as a humble man in his disposition and also very gentle to his players.
‘’At the 2015 under 20 AFCON finals in Senegal, we spent a good twelve days together in search of glory for mother Zambia and I can assure you he was a very user friendly coach who made my work easy as media officer,’’ he disclosed.
And Zambia’s foremost FIFA (intermediary) Chiti Chitundu described the late Hector Chilombo as a very punctual player in training during his playing days at Profund Warriors Football Club.
‘’He would arrive early and start warming up in the tennis court. As a player he paid attention to all players’ strengths while as a man, he was a gentleman and a friend to all,’’ He remarked.
Chilombo was part of the reconstituted Zambia national team after the 1993 Gabon air disaster which claimed the entire team but would go on to make cameo appearances in Chipolopolo national colors, but was a very regular feature for his Clubs Profound Warriors and Nchanga Rangers the Clubs he would later on coach with Nchanga Rangers, NAPSA stars (formerly Profound Warriors) and City of Lusaka Football Club.
Gone but not forgotten. The country and the sports world will remember Chilombo for his contribution to the game of football.
Farewell.
