Former players and coaches have paid tribute to late coach Fordson Kabole, who was put to rest on Friday at the Nkana East Cemetery in Kitwe.
The veteran coach died on September 3, 2024, at the Kitwe Central Hospital, aged 79.
Kabole is credited to both Nchanga Rangers and Power Dynamos’ league triumphs in 1998 and 2011, respectively.
He is remembered for mentoring some of the finest football players during the 1998 season that produced the likes of Andrew Sinkala, Moses Sichone, Masautso Tembo.
Other are Elijah Tana, and Mwenya Chipepo, among others.
He also led Nchanga Rangers to the 1998 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals.
Kabole further guided Power Dynamos to a double in 2011, as they were crowned league champions and Barclays Cup (now Absa Cup) winners.
Former Power Dynamos player Emmanuel Chimpinde, who was promoted from Young Nchanga to the senior team at Nchanga Rangers, described him as a mentor who always demanded hard work from the team.
Chimpinde was also part of the Dynamos side that won a double in 2011 under Kabole.
“He was my father, my coach. I was with him at Nchanga; he promoted me to the senior team. Coach ‘Bob Moore’ was encouraging us to work hard. In 2009 and 2010, we did well but didn’t win the league. In 2011, he encouraged us to work extra hard to achieve the league title,” Chimpinde said.
“He was a man who didn’t condone laziness; in 2011, we won the league and the Barclays Cup; he used to encourage us.”
Another former player, Govenda Simwala, remembers the late coach Kabole for converting him from a holding midfielder to a rightback.
“I learnt a lot from Kabole”-Mwenya Chipepo.
“I’m emotional right now; he was a good coach to me. He is the one that made me who I’m today because I used to play number six; he’s the one who changed me to right back. He was a good man, a father and mentor,” Simwala said.
And former Chipolopolo Boys goalkeeper Joshua Titima said the late coach was an approachable and kind person.
“It’s a big loss to the Zambian football fraternity; he was approachable and kind to everyone; even when you make a mistake, he would call you and advise you,” the former Power Dynamos goalkeeper said.
And Forest Rangers coach Mwenya Chipepo said the late coach was a mentor throughout his playing career and coaching career.
“He taught me how to become a possession footballer; after that, he started teaching me coaching. Even after he retired, I would still consult him when things were tough. I learnt a lot from him; whatever I’m doing at the moment, it came from him,” Chipepo said.
Kabole was national team assistant coach at the 1994 Africa Cup, where Zambia lost the final to Nigeria. He also coached Roan United and Chambishi Football Club, among others.
