Zambia has never been shy of prolific goal scorers throughout its history. And one such marksman is the Chipolopolo legend, Godfrey Ucar Chitalu.
His goal tally of 107 goals from 116 appearances in 1972 is believed to be the world record for most goals in a calendar year, as per the Football Association of Zambia.
It will take something prodigious for any Zambian star to match, or indeed, get anywhere near Chitalu’s record. However, Zambian footballers have racked up some noteworthy goalscoring numbers this year.
As the year concludes, Bolanews presents the list of six Zambian stars with the most goals for club and country in 2023.
6. Lameck Banda (6 goals)
Known for his devastating dribbling skills and trickery, Banda has scored some climacteric goals this year in his 41 appearances for his club and country, with six assists. He particularly stole the limelight in March when he notched a quick-fire brace in Zambia’s 3-1 comeback win over Lesotho during the AFCON qualifiers. He scored for his country for the first time in that game and has now gone on to net three goals for the Chipolopolo.
5. Kings Kangwa (7 goals)
The midfield orchestrator has seven goals for club and country this year. But for his torrid last few months at Red Star Belgrade, the playmaker could have grabbed a lot more goals. It was Kangwa who put the cherry on the cake in Zambia’s 3-0 decimation of Ivory Coast in the summer.
4. Golden Mashata (9 goals)
The youngster scored twice in the 2023 COSAFA Cup as Zambia were crowned champions for a record-breaking 7th time. Mashata has been on a roll this season, topping the scoring charts for Green Buffaloes in the 2023–24 Zambian Super League with five goals.
3. Moyela Libamba (12 goals)
Big-game players do not come as clutch as Moyela Libamba. The center-forward scored the winner in the 2023 COSAFA Cup final, alongside some vital goals in the ABSA Cup and Zambian Charity Shield. Hence, he ends his 2023 calendar year with three major titles.
2. Patson Daka (13 goals)
Despite limited minutes, particularly at club level, Daka’s goalscoring exploits have been on full display. The Chipolopolo talisman has scored seven goals in seven games for club and country since mid-November. He ends the year with 13 goals in 33 appearances. The Leicester City center-forward, who is also Africa’s highest international scorer with nine goals, will cause havoc for opponents at the 2023 AFCON if he maintains this form.
1. Fashion Sakala (22 goals)
Zambian football in 2023 has been a ‘Fashion show’. A transfer from Europe to Saudi Arabia seemed to have a rather uplifting than dispiriting effect on Sakala’s performances.
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The trickster has scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 52 appearances for club and country this year. No Zambian player has scored more goals than Sakala in 2023.
