Zambian football legend, James Chamanga is set to hang his boots at the end of this season and Red Arrows have decided to honor him in the last match of the campaign.
The club has announced that the match against ZANACO will be held as a farewell to a legend who gave it all to the club and country.
The club has since confirmed that entrance to the open wing will be free of charge.
“Red Arrows Football Club Will Host A Historical Testimonial Match In Honour Of James Chamanga, A Legend, A Warrior & A Leader Of The Zambia Game!!
Red Arrows vs Zanaco – The Farewell To A Hero Who Gave His All For Club & Country.
FREE ENTRY | OPEN WING
No tickets, Just Bring Your Voice, Your Passion & Your Love For The Game.”
James Chamanga returned to Zambia in 2019 to join Red Arrows after a 14-year stint outside the country, where he played for Bush Bucks, Supersport United, Moroka Swallows, Dalian Shide, and Liaoning.
His return was reported first by the ZamFoot Crew on March 27, 2019, when he signed his initial short-term deal.
Six years later, Chamanga is set to play his final game this weekend as Red Arrows welcomes Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium.
At 45, Chamanga has had a remarkable career spanning around 25 years – a testament to his longevity.
When he initially returned to Zambia at 39, questions lingered about his age and whether Red Arrows had made the right decision.
However, those doubts have been resoundingly answered. Not only has he played for six years, but he’s also won two league titles, two Charity Shields, and an ABSA Cup title. Additionally, he claimed the MTN Super League golden boot with 16 goals in the 2019/2020 season at the age of 40.
During his time in South Africa, Chamanga scored a record-breaking five goals for Swallows in a 6-2 league win against Platinum Stars on December 9, 2007. This impressive feat included a hat-trick between the 20th and 24th minutes.
On the international stage, he was part of the historic 2012 Zambia squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring the third goal in the 3-0 quarterfinal win over Sudan with a beautiful curler in the 86th minute.
Chamanga has been a model professional, consistently delivering on the pitch without controversy. He’s also taken younger players under his wing, with Ricky Banda being a notable beneficiary of his guidance.
As he retires, Chamanga sets a shining example for young players to follow in terms of discipline and professionalism. He’s an absolute gentleman and a true legend of the Zambian game.
