Robert Watyakeni begun his football career in the youth ranks at Nchanga Rangers F.C. Born and groomed in Chingola’s Chikola Township, the late international defender joined Power Dynamos in early 1990s.He then established himself and became the hub of the Power Dynamos defence which guided the Arthur Davies outfit to the 1991 treble when they lifted the Mandela cup, Colgate Palmolive Champions of Champions and the league title.
Watyakeni was a unique and excellent player who was not only a tough and stable defender but a good leader and a skilful player of the game who could calm down when pressed under pressure and build up a formula from the heart of defence. ‘Roblo’ as the Ndeke faithful fondly called him, also had a rare centre back overlapping move cutting the pitch through the midfield from the heart of defence with short passes. He could participate in creating goal scoring opportunities before retreating back to his position in defence. The Power Dynamos talented centre back who was wearing jersey number 10 in the Wisdom Chansa star studded Power 90 squad was also a regular goal scorer who scored crucial goals for the Ndeke based outfit.
In the 1991 Mandela cup final against Benue Cement Company (BCC) Lions at Independence Stadium, Watyakeni cancelled Webby Chilufya’s own goal when he scored a gangling header before Wedson Nyirenda and Richard Sikanyika (who scored direct from the corner kick spot) scored a goal each to secure Power’s continental triumph. ‘Roblo’ was also a confident penalty taker who could step up and request from his captain Wisdom Chansa to take crucial penalties with ease. His defence clearances with his trademark acrobatic over head kicks were also a marvel to watch.
In 1991, Watyakeni’s outstanding performance was rewarded when he was selected to be part of the 1992 Afcon squad. He came in as a substitute for Ashios Melu in the first game against Egypt which Zambia won 1-0 via a Kalusha Bwalya goal and he later started in the game against the Black Stars of Ghana.
In 1992, after scoring from the penalty spot in the match against Mochudi Centre Chiefs F.C of Botswana, as Power begun the defence of the Mandela Cup trophy with league runners up Nkana Red Devils playing in the CAF Champions of Champions (now the Champions league) Robert Watyakeni and other Mandela Cup wining legends were suspended from all football activities after misunderstandings with the club hierarchy over allowances. In December 1992 after the suspension was lifted, Watiakeni left with Wisdom Chansa and Kabwe Warriors strong man Samuel Chomba to join Dynamos of South Africa.
In 1993, Robert Watyakeni gave a man of the match performance on his Independence Stadium debut in national colours against Zimbabwe when he kept the then England based at Coventry City Peter Ndhlovu at bay the entire 90 minutes. With Samuel Chomba playing as anchorman and Derby Makinka as an attacking midfielder, Watyakeni proved himself to the noisy Gate ‘D’ fans that he was the next big figure in the Zambian backline when he partnered Estone Mulenga and outclassed the Zimbabwean strikers who flew back to Harare without a short on goal in a game that ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Watyakeni became a first choice centre back partnering the then Nkana Red Devils captain Eston Mulenga for the national team and he played his last game against Mauritius which Zambia won 0-3 a few days before the April 28 1993 plane crash in Libreville which Gabon ended his promising football career.
[K R Lungu]
Dinamo muli nshimbi iron metal!
He made defending look simple.He had this rare ability of turning defending in to attack by launching an attack immediately after intercepting the ball from a goal bound opposing striker.