Rickson Ng’ambi, a winger for FC MUZA, has been one of the most consistent players in the 2024–25 MTN Super League, appearing in every game and dishing out two assists.
Continuing where he left off last season, the 19-year-old Choma Warriors Academy product has solidified his position as a starter in the Mazabuka-based team.
Football is more than just a game to Rickson; it’s a passion that has been fostered since childhood. Oliver Ng’ambi, his father, has been a rock during his son’s football career.
RICKSON’S FATHER PROUD OF SON
Oliver talked about Rickson’s ascent to fame in the MTN Super League and said he was proud of his son’s progress.
“It gives me joy and pride as a father, and just receiving phone calls from friends and family members whenever he is on TV,” Oliver said with a sense of awe and nostalgia.
“I remember how he used to play barefoot and sew the first boot he had every night and how he could pack his boot full of ‘vigamba’ [patches] and a training t-shirt and shorts every morning in his school bag together with books. He used not to come for lunch after school but straight to Show grounds for training with his childhood club, Choma Warriors. He is fulfilling his childhood dream.
“It’s really humbling watching him rub shoulders with the same players he used to cheer for, especially when the national team is playing. We used to stay late with him whenever games were played at night. I usually call him after every game and tell him how proud I am to see him with the likes of Kabaso Chongo, Moses Phiri, Enerst Mbewe, Nathan Sinkala, James Chamanga, and many more because he used to watch and cheer these players.”
Oliver added that Rickson has earned his family a lot of respect from people.
“We are regarded highly because of him. Whenever I go to watch Green Eagles, people will always point at me, and you can hear them saying that’s ‘Rickson Daddy’, and it’s an encouragement to all the boys in our community to work hard. They usually throng our home during the off-season, and he’s not a selfish player; I always hear him encouraging them to work hard and how they can even surpass him.”
LOOKING AHEAD
On Rickson’s prospects, Ng’ambi believes his son will play in a European league soon.
“I expect more from him. He usually tells me that his dream is to play outside this country one day. I usually sense that urgency and spirit in him to work hard and fulfill his dream of playing outside,” he concluded.
In the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, Ng’ambi has played alongside Kingston Mutandwa, Miguel Chaiwa, Chipyoka Songa, Peter Chikola, and Joseph Sabobo Banda, all of whom have since moved abroad.
“I grew up watching green eagles, and I was inspired by Spencer Sautu and Mwila Phiri because of the difference they used to make either from the bench or when they started,” Rickson said.
“And I looked forward to playing against the Lusaka dynamos that had the likes of Chris Mugalu, Joseph Ochaya, Triple C [Clatous Chama], and others because they had the best team, and I always want to compete with the best.”
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