While his father Moses became a cult hero at Nkana, former defender Govenda Simwala established himself at rival club Power Dynamos.
Moses’ exploits as a player and coach undoubtedly etched the Simwala name into Zambian football history, a legacy that Govenda continued.
Govenda may not have accomplished even a tenth of what is attributed to his father’s name at Nkana, but he is content that he is not cast in his father’s shadow at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Govenda, who only played professional football at Power, has established his own legacy on the other side of the dual carriageway, where he is now a youth coach.
16 years after Fordson Kabole handed him a Super Division debut, Govenda took some time to reflect on his Power all-time best 11 for the time he has been at the club.
GOALKEEPER
JOSHUA TITIMA
As a left-back, Govenda says he was more comfortable playing in front of a goalkeeper who was good at shouting instructions and keeping his defenders on their toes.
“Mu goal, I will go for Joshua Titima, he was good in commanding the defence and the time we won the league together he was brilliant in challenging for the aerial balls,” Simwala says.
In his formative years, Titima proved himself as a decent goalkeeper, which saw him have stints with Power, Nkana, Zanaco, and Mufulira Wanderers. He is now a goalkeeper trainer at Young Power.
Joshua also had several Chipolopolo caps to his name and was third choice in 2012 when Zambia bagged its maiden Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
RIGHTBACK
GOVENDA SIMWALA
Govenda leaves nothing to chance and has handed himself a spot in his best 11. Who wouldn’t?
Tracing his football journey to Chamboli Youth Academy in 2000, Govenda joined Young Power in 2004 before graduating to the main team in 2006.
He waited for two years before being handed his debut in 2008 against Young Arrows under Kabole and Bruce Mwape.
“Number 2, myself…I was good at overlapping and at taking set pieces so I will put myself in my team,” Govenda who enjoyed playing in the Kitwe Derby says.
LEFTBACK
LAWRENCE ‘CHANACHO’ CHUNGU
After a seven-year stint at Arthur Davies Stadium, Chungu’s career seemed to have been headed for a downward spiral when he made a short trip to Ndola to join Buildcon in 2017.
However, Chungu reinvented himself such that Zanaco and some national team call-ups came his way. He now turns up for Konkola Blades.
His pace and ability to overlap earn him a place on Govenda’s team.
“Lawrence is my number 3, in our time he could do nothing wrong. And when he made runs in attack his delivery was on point, I think that is why he has fitted well in the Zanaco team which liked playing in the wings,” Simwala says.
CENTREBACK
GILBERT KALUSA
“Many did not pay attention to him but, for me he was the best centre back, very skilful defender he was my best and we used to combine well,” Govenda says.
Govenda says Kalusa was a complete defender who had good ball control and espoused confidence on the ball.
CENTREBACK
KAMUZATI KABWE
“We called him Nana Father, he was our pillar. He had everything. He was commanding, he had the skill and was also good with ball control making it easy to play with Kalusa,” he says.
Kabwe’s other stints were at Red Arrows, Nchanga Rangers and Malaysian side Perlis.
Govenda says with this backline and Titima in goal, even the most lethal of strikers would need to work double shifts to penetrate.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
EMMANUEL CHIMPINDE
In midfield, Simwala struggles to pick between former international Thomas Nyirenda and former celebrated midfielder Emmanuel Chimpinde.
“Midfield….Very difficult one, we had good players pa number six, we had Thomas Nyirenda, we had Emmanuel Chimpinde. Okay I will choose Chimpinde.
“I worked with him [Chimpinde] a lot , Thomas only joined us later… he was a safe cover for the backline and his ball distribution is unrivalled,” he says.
In 2016, Chimpinde called time on his career at Power and settled for a position as coach for feeder team Young Power and also forms back of the backroom staff at the senior team.
RIGHT WINGER
SIMON BWALYA
Formerly of Power, Nkana and coaching at Super League side Mutondo Stars, Bwalya has earned himself a place in Govenda’s team.
Having been part of the team that won the league and cup double for Power in 2011, Bwalya’s talents have won the praise of Govenda who is proud to have shared the dressing room with him.
“Simon Bwalya, was good we combined well on the right flank, he was also the main reason I would overlap quite a lot because he used to like cutting inside and joining the attack,” he says.
LEFT WINGER
KENNEDY MUDENDA
“No doubt about it, I will go for the disc man himself, Kennedy Mudenda pyanga ama full backs,” Govenda says.
Mudenda who is still at Power as a youth coach was a one-club man, playing at Arthur Davies for over a decade.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
JOSEPH SITALI
Before settling for Joseph Sitali as his attacking midfielder, Simwala complained about how hard it was for him to pick the man famed as Adepujo owing to an array of good attacking midfielders he has played with.
“Yankosela ko, [this one is hard for me] we have Larry, Mukuka Mulenga, ba Joseph Sitali and Richard Kasonde….very difficult. Anyway I will pick our leader Joseph Sitali,” Govenda says.
Govenda says among the attributes that have led him to pick Sitali are, leadership, skill, and tactical brilliance.
Sitali is a celebrated figure on the Copperbelt, having played for Nkana, Power, Kitwe United, and Wanderers. He is currently a youth coach at Shinde Stadium.
ATTACKERS
LUKA LUNGU
Deadly in the air, Luka Lungu gets the nod in Govenda’s team ahead of Gravin Chitalu.
“Number nine, okay this team is hard to construct… I will give it to Luka Lungu, we also had Gravin Chitalu but I will go for Luka Lungu who used to come to our rescue,” he says.
MUKUKA MULENGA
In his prime, Mulenga was tipped to be the next big thing for Zambian football but injuries coupled with a few bad decisions dimmed the light that was shining.
Mulenga who had an ill-fated stint in South Africa is now clubless.
Nicknamed Deco after former Portuguese international Mulenga’s talents are enough to see him in Govenda’s team.
“Mu ten, I will go for Mukuka Mulenga…that is the role he played well he used to join the top man from the midfield…and you know pali Mukuka Mulenga is very skilful – Deco magic,” he says.
COACH
FORDSON KABOLA
Kabole, 77 has had two stints at Power and is league winner with Nchanga Rangers.
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