Godfrey Chitalu - Early Life

Early Life

Chitalu was born in Luanshya, in the Copperbelt Province, in a tough neighborhood called Mikomfwa where the youth got involved in various vices besides playing barefoot football. It is believed that these early experiences helped to shape his character.

He studied in Mikomfwa and managed to get a place in the school team at the age of 10. Shortly afterwards, he was surprised when the Recreation Officer, Benny Evans, invited him to Fisansa Youth Club for a trial after which he started playing for the team as a center-forward. Even though competition was stiff, Chitalu got into the under-15 district team and traveled to Bulawayo with the squad in 1958 as a reserve player and also took part in boxing.

In 1959 he got a transfer to Kawama School in Kitwe where he switched his position to inside-left and became a regular first team player. While at Kawama School, he joined the Kwacha I Community Centre team where he played at centre-forward. During his 3 years at the centre, Kwacha I remained champions in Kitwe District. Chitalu's talent was noticed by a club trainer called Tirivavi, who encouraged him to concentrate on playing football and forget about boxing so he hung up his gloves conditioned too by the fact that not many boys of his age were interested in the sport.

In 1962, he completed his primary education and left Kitwe. He went to stay with his elder brother in Chingola and continued his studies at Mushishima Secondary School and played for the school team at inside-left. Chitalu returned to Kitwe and Kwacha I in 1964 and then joined the Kitwe United reserve team after being spotted by chairman Jethro Ngwane who was looking for young talent for his team.