Zambia returned to the African Cup of Nations in 1990 after missing out on the 1988 edition.
A host of European based stars like Johnson Bwalya, Stone ‘Mukango’ Nyirenda, Kalusha Bwalya, Ashious Melu, and Charles Musonda missed the tournament in Algeria for various reasons.
With only two foreign based players – Geoffrey Mulenga (Switzerland) and Lucky M’siska (Belgium), the squad was depleted.
Surprisingly, the KK11 came third thanks to exploits of striker Webby Chikabala and defender Samuel Chomba.
The duo won plaudits and were named in the CAF 1990 AFCON Team of the Tournament alongside the likes of Nigeria’s Rashid Yekini.
At the time, Chikabala and Chomba were on the books of Chambishi and Kabwe Warriors respectively.
“Upon arriving in Algeria, the team received sad news both will miss the tournament due to injuries. However, Webby Chikabala who was at local club Chambishi rose to the occasion as we placed third,” former Zambia midfielder Joel Bwalya told CAFonline last year.
“That goal, that gave Zambia a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, set in motion a series of events that would culminate in a life-changing opportunity, catapulting Chikabala into a whole new world; that of top flight football,” wrote Football journalist and adminstrator Ponga Liwewe.
‘Mukishi Joe’ as he was known ended the tournament with two goals including one against Senegal which earned the team a third place slot.
The then 24 year old also made in the top 3 player of the tournament.
Chomba, then only 26 years old, went into the tournament as Melu’s replacement and he did not disappoint.
The Warriors defender cum midfielder played in all the 5 games for Zambia and kept 4 clean sheets save for 2-0 defeat against Nigeria in the semi finals.
Chomba died in 1993 in Gabon.
After the tournament, Chikabala went on to sign for Portuguese side Maritimo. He died in 1997 in Zimbabwe.
Collins Mbesuma later on featured for Maritimo to continue Zambian dynasty at the Portuguese club.
