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Alex Chola: Difference between revisions
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| fullname = Alexander Chola | | fullname = Alexander Chola | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1956|6|2}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1956|6|2}} | ||
| birth_place = | | birth_place = Democratic Republic of Congo | ||
| position = [[Forward (Association football)|Forward]] | | position = [[Forward (Association football)|Forward]] | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1993|4|27|1947|10|22|df=y}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|1993|4|27|1947|10|22|df=y}} | ||
| death_place = | | death_place = Atlantic Ocean, off the [[Gabon]]ese coast | ||
| years1 = 1972-1973 | | years1 = 1972-1973 | ||
| clubs1 = | | clubs1 = Solbena F.C., | ||
| caps1 = | | caps1 = | ||
| goals1 = | | goals1 = | ||
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==Playing career== | ==Playing career== | ||
Chola was born in the | Chola was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and reportedly played for Solbena F.C. in Lubumbashi before moving to [[Ndola]] as a teenager. After a brief stay, he left for [[Mufulira]] and signed with Division II side [[Mufulira Blackpool F.C.|Mufulira Blackpool]] in 1974.<ref>Kamphodza, Sam. “Zambian poachers worry Zaire clubs” ''Times of Zambia'', 16 September 1975, p.10</ref> | ||
===Mufulira Blackpool=== | ===Mufulira Blackpool=== | ||
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Ho collected more silverware later that year when Dynamos beat Buffaloes 2-0 to win the [[Zambian Cup|Independence Cup]], and ended the season as the club’s top scorer. The following year, Dynamos retained the Champions of Champions Cup and made their debut in the [[Africa Cup Winners Cup]] only to be eliminated by Sekondi Hasacaas of Ghana in the quarter-finals. In 1982, they won the Independence Cup for the third time in 4 years, but the league eluded them as they ended the season as runners-up to Kitwe rivals Nkana Red Devils. Dynamos however had a fine run in the Africa Cup Winners Cup, reaching the final only to lose 4-0 on aggregate to Egyptian club Arab Contractors. Chola ended the season as second highest goal-scorer in the Zambian league, runner-up to club-mate [[Peter Kaumba]]. | Ho collected more silverware later that year when Dynamos beat Buffaloes 2-0 to win the [[Zambian Cup|Independence Cup]], and ended the season as the club’s top scorer. The following year, Dynamos retained the Champions of Champions Cup and made their debut in the [[Africa Cup Winners Cup]] only to be eliminated by Sekondi Hasacaas of Ghana in the quarter-finals. In 1982, they won the Independence Cup for the third time in 4 years, but the league eluded them as they ended the season as runners-up to Kitwe rivals Nkana Red Devils. Dynamos however had a fine run in the Africa Cup Winners Cup, reaching the final only to lose 4-0 on aggregate to Egyptian club Arab Contractors. Chola ended the season as second highest goal-scorer in the Zambian league, runner-up to club-mate [[Peter Kaumba]]. | ||
Chola was in the Dynamos team that won the Rothmans International trophy in the 6 nations African Club soccer tournament in | Chola was in the Dynamos team that won the Rothmans International trophy in the 6 nations African Club soccer tournament in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in May 1983, after beating home team Stella Abidjan of Ivory Coast 2-1, FC 105 from Gabon 4-1 and Nigeria’s Bendel Insurance 2-1. In the final, Dynamos drew 0-0 with Camerounian giants Tonnere Yaonde FC and won 5-4 on post match penalties with goalkeeper Blackwell Chalwe saving the decisive spot-kick after a goalless 90 minutes.<ref>Anon. “Fantastic Power” ''Times of Zambia'', 10 May 1983, p.8</ref> | ||
In July 1983, new Zambia national team coach [[Wieslaw Grabowski]] described Chola and his Dynamos team-mate Kaumba as world class players, with enough potential to play for any division I side in Europe. Grabowski joined the legion of fans who admired Chola’s bull juggling skills but he noted that his team-mates did not understand his crisp and timely passes. He further said that although Chola lacked speed, he was an intelligent player who could read the game.<ref>Anon. “Chola, Kaumba world class” ''Times of Zambia'', 11 July 1983, p.8</ref> At the end of the season, he was runner-up once again to Ashlos Melu on the scorers’ chart. In December, Chola and Kaumba signed three-year professional contracts with Africa Sports of Ivory Coast.<ref>Mulando, John “Kaumba, Chola sign contracts” ''Sunday Times of Zambia'', 11 December 1983, p.8</ref> However, the two returned home in July 1984 and it turned out that a major sponsor of Africa Sports had pulled out so this changed the fortunes of the club and they decided to return to Zambia.<ref>Mulando, John “Chola, Kaumba get the boot?” ''Times of Zambia'', 10 August 1984, p.8</ref> The duo arrived just in time to lend a hand to Dynamos final push for the league championship. Chola missed a penalty when Dynamos suffered their only league loss in October 1984, a 2-0 defeat to eventual runners-up Mufulira Wanderers but Dynamos avenged this a week later when they whipped Wanderers 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium. This helped Dynamos to the title for the first time in their history. | In July 1983, new Zambia national team coach [[Wieslaw Grabowski]] described Chola and his Dynamos team-mate Kaumba as world class players, with enough potential to play for any division I side in Europe. Grabowski joined the legion of fans who admired Chola’s bull juggling skills but he noted that his team-mates did not understand his crisp and timely passes. He further said that although Chola lacked speed, he was an intelligent player who could read the game.<ref>Anon. “Chola, Kaumba world class” ''Times of Zambia'', 11 July 1983, p.8</ref> At the end of the season, he was runner-up once again to Ashlos Melu on the scorers’ chart. In December, Chola and Kaumba signed three-year professional contracts with Africa Sports of Ivory Coast.<ref>Mulando, John “Kaumba, Chola sign contracts” ''Sunday Times of Zambia'', 11 December 1983, p.8</ref> However, the two returned home in July 1984 and it turned out that a major sponsor of Africa Sports had pulled out so this changed the fortunes of the club and they decided to return to Zambia.<ref>Mulando, John “Chola, Kaumba get the boot?” ''Times of Zambia'', 10 August 1984, p.8</ref> The duo arrived just in time to lend a hand to Dynamos final push for the league championship. Chola missed a penalty when Dynamos suffered their only league loss in October 1984, a 2-0 defeat to eventual runners-up Mufulira Wanderers but Dynamos avenged this a week later when they whipped Wanderers 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium. This helped Dynamos to the title for the first time in their history. | ||
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Chola starred in Zambia’s 1976 Olympic Games qualification run, scoring 6 times as Zambia qualified to Montreal 1976. However, Zambia withdrew for political reasons so Chola had to wait 4 more years to make his Olympics bow. In between, he featured for Zambia at [[1978 African Cup of Nations|CAN 78]] where Zambia failed to progress from a group which featured [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] and [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]. In 1980, Zambia were knocked out by [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] 6-2 on aggregate who subsequently withdrew in protest against the invasion of [[State of Palestine|Palestine]] by [[Israel]] so Zambia took their place. He made two appearances at [[1980 Summer Olympics|Moscow]] 1980 as Zambia were eliminated at the group stage. | Chola starred in Zambia’s 1976 Olympic Games qualification run, scoring 6 times as Zambia qualified to Montreal 1976. However, Zambia withdrew for political reasons so Chola had to wait 4 more years to make his Olympics bow. In between, he featured for Zambia at [[1978 African Cup of Nations|CAN 78]] where Zambia failed to progress from a group which featured [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] and [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]. In 1980, Zambia were knocked out by [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] 6-2 on aggregate who subsequently withdrew in protest against the invasion of [[State of Palestine|Palestine]] by [[Israel]] so Zambia took their place. He made two appearances at [[1980 Summer Olympics|Moscow]] 1980 as Zambia were eliminated at the group stage. | ||
In November 1981, Chola was among 8 national team players who were injured when the bus in which they were travelling ploughed into a tree 15 km from Chingola, on their way from a practice match in Chililabombwe.<ref>Chola, Gunston “Soccer Tragedy” ''Times of Zambia'', 9 November 1981, p.12</ref> Chola sustained shin and knee injuries and was out of action for a month but was fit enough for the | In November 1981, Chola was among 8 national team players who were injured when the bus in which they were travelling ploughed into a tree 15 km from Chingola, on their way from a practice match in Chililabombwe.<ref>Chola, Gunston “Soccer Tragedy” ''Times of Zambia'', 9 November 1981, p.12</ref> Chola sustained shin and knee injuries and was out of action for a month but was fit enough for the CAN in Libya. | ||
Chola made his second CAN appearance at Libya 1982 where Zambia reached the semi-finals only to lose to the hosts 2-1 after taking an early lead. The following year, Zambia played | Chola made his second CAN appearance at Libya 1982 where Zambia reached the semi-finals only to lose to the hosts 2-1 after taking an early lead. The following year, Zambia played Sudan in Khartoum in a CAN qualifier and lost 2-1, leaving them with the seemingly achievable aim of winning by one goal to qualify to the next tround. Despite sustained pressure in the second leg in Ndola, they could only manage a scoreless draw, with Chola missing a 55th-minute penalty, for which he came in for a lot of criticism from fans. | ||
Chola put the disappointment behind him and later that year, starred as Zambia beat Egypt 1-0 in the first leg of an Olympics Games qualifier in Lusaka, with Peter Kaumba scoring a header off his free-kick. Zambia lost the second leg 2-0 and bowed out of the race, and this would be Chola’s last game for almost two years. | Chola put the disappointment behind him and later that year, starred as Zambia beat Egypt 1-0 in the first leg of an Olympics Games qualifier in Lusaka, with Peter Kaumba scoring a header off his free-kick. Zambia lost the second leg 2-0 and bowed out of the race, and this would be Chola’s last game for almost two years. | ||
In August 1985, Zambian coach [[Brightwell Banda]], looking for some much needed creativity in midfield recalled Chola who was by that time player-coach at his club Power Dynamos for the two legged knockout qualifier against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]. He made his comeback when Zambia held the Eagles 0-0 in | In August 1985, Zambian coach [[Brightwell Banda]], looking for some much needed creativity in midfield recalled Chola who was by that time player-coach at his club Power Dynamos for the two legged knockout qualifier against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]. He made his comeback when Zambia held the Eagles 0-0 in Lagos and the "Master-Dribbler" turned on the magic as he pulled the strings in midfield and Zambia ran out 1-0 winners to dump Nigeria out of the [[1986 African Cup of Nations#Qualifying Tournament Second Round|1986 CAN]] race. | ||
After another appearance against in a friendly against [[Botswana national football team|Botswana]], Chola travelled with the Zambian team to Zimbabwe to defend their [[CECAFA Cup]]. A 2-2 draw with the hosts and a 3-0 reverse to Uganda put paid to Zambia’s chances. Chola featured in both games but was substituted in both games and the coach revealed afterwards that he had been suffering from illness. This turned out to be his last game for Zambia. He made 100 appearances (including 12 Olympics related matches) and scored 43 goals, making him one of Zambia’s most capped players second only to [[Godfrey Chitalu]] in goalscoring. | After another appearance against in a friendly against [[Botswana national football team|Botswana]], Chola travelled with the Zambian team to Zimbabwe to defend their [[CECAFA Cup]]. A 2-2 draw with the hosts and a 3-0 reverse to Uganda put paid to Zambia’s chances. Chola featured in both games but was substituted in both games and the coach revealed afterwards that he had been suffering from illness. This turned out to be his last game for Zambia. He made 100 appearances (including 12 Olympics related matches) and scored 43 goals, making him one of Zambia’s most capped players second only to [[Godfrey Chitalu]] in goalscoring. | ||
In 2006, he was selected by | In 2006, he was selected by CAF as one of the best 200 African football players of the last 50 years.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sport24.gr|title=Οι 200 κορυφαίοι Αφρικανοί|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/article273152.ece?service=print|date=25 October 2006}}</ref> | ||
==Coaching career== | ==Coaching career== | ||
