In 1991, Power Dynamos became the first Zambian club ever to win a CAF inter-club competition.
Todate that feat remains unmatched. On the Power bench was a Briton Jim Bone technical advising Fred Mwila.
Power lost 3-2 Benue Cement Company (BCC) Lions in Nigeria in the first leg.
Wedson Nyirenda who Power purchased from Nchanga Rangers to help ‘Baby Born with Teeth’ in ‘continental’ bagged a brace.
In the return at a full to overflow Independence Stadium, Power suffered an early blow.
Skipper Webby Chilufya conceded an own goal.
The Zambians were down 4-2 on aggregate.
But goals from Richard “Sharp” Sikanyika direct from a corner, centre back Robert Watyakeni and Nyirenda turned the match round as ‘Power 90’ emerged victorious 5-4 on aggregate.
The man behind the brains in the board that gave birth to the giant was Hanson Sindowe.
The legend started his football life as an administrator just a decade shy of half a century.
40 years ago. He was a corporate guru cum administrator.
In the 1980s, Sindowe served on the Mighty Mufulira Wanderers executive commitee.
When he went to Nchanga Division of the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), Sindowe served as the Brave Nchanga Rangers chairman for four years.
When he went to Zambia Railways as Managing Director, Kabwe Warriors benefitted from.
Remember, the purple patch at Warriors that saw the rise of the Timothy Mwitwas, the Sameul Chombas, the Richard Mwanzas, the Godfrey Kangwas, the Tenant Chilumbas, Noel Chamas and company that scared the hell out of Nacional of Egypt or Raja Casablanca of Morocco?
The backbone came from the Sindowe support.
But it was at Power Dynamos that Sindowe achieved the ultimate success.
Starting that Power 90 movement that stands tall like a pair of pointed breasts on a girl at puberty, was an invention that led to history making in Zambian football.
Proud we were in 1991. Proud we still are.
Sindowe served Zambian football faithfully.
He has bowed out with a record as clean as KK’s handkerchief.
Today, the man retired from the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (C.E.C) where he served as Managing Director and Board Chairman at different times.
He served Power faithfully including being patron of the Kitwe giants for the last three years until his retirement.
Such a honourable service full of integrity was not lost on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
FAZ through its president Andrew Kamanga honoured Sindowe with a life achievement award for his services to Zambian football.
There could have been no better man than Kamanga to lead the Sindowe praises. The pair have been succesful both in energy business and football.
“Mr. Sindowe was an excellent administrator who selflessly served our football for over 40 years,” said the soft-spoken FIFA Audits and Compliance Committee member.
While some other men of his ripe age are known for noise making, the larger than life persona of Mr Hanson Sindowe is known for its silence while delivering indelible results.
It is no surprise that FAZ are planning to confer on Mr Sindowe the status of life member.
Congratulations Hanson Sindowe, you certainly kept many of these achievements quiet when we worked together when CEC first started up. Enjoy your retirement.