Zambia Under 23 Coach Fighton Simukonda has died.
Simukonda who was also Coach for MTN Super league side Nchanga Rangers died Monday morning at Konkola Mine Hospital.
He was battling diabetes and was in and out of hospital since December 2015.
His death was confirmed by ZESO United, a team he coached before trekking to Nchanga.
“It is with sorrow that Zesco United regrets to announce the passing on of its former coach who until the time of his death was Under 23 National team coach and Nchanga Rangers Coach Fighton Simukonda. He passed away this morning 15th February 2016 at Konkola Mine Hospital in Chililabombwe,” ZESCO said.
In 2009, Simukonda popularly known as Big Fi became the first coach to lead a Zambian Club (Zesco United) to the CAF champions league group stage.
He was born on 2 February 1958 and he part of the very successful Nkana Red Devils side of the 80s which worn 5 league titles.
Simukonda also captained the Zambia National team and he won several titles as a Coach in Zambia.
He started his football career with Division II side Mimbula Diggers as a defender.
He later moved to Diggers’ town mates KB Davies FC, another Division II team.
Standing at over six feet tall, he was a commanding presence in defence and in 1980, was recruited by Division I side Vitafoam United and the following season, Simukonda captained Vitafoam to a 2–1 Independence Cup final victory over Strike Rovers.
In 1982, Vitafoam proprietor Abram Mokola decided to give some senior players the opportunity to acquire coaching skills so Simukonda was one of five who were sponsored for a coaching course in England in March of that year.
His fine defensive play caught the attention of Kitwe giants who signed him soon after his return from England and Vitafoam claimed he had breached his contract with them.
The contract dispute kept him out of action for almost four months until the two teams agreed a compensation package.
Simukonda won his first league title with Nkana going unbeaten the whole season and would go on to win four more in 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1988.
Simukonda also played for Jomo Cosmos for two seasons.
Too bad my coach. Rest in eternal peace Big Fi.
shock! Rest in peace.
REST IN PEACE BA FI.
The death of a legend. R.I.P mwebakulu
Iye ba Fighton, mwayaa!!! Rest in peace bakalamba.
VERY SAD NEWS BIG FI REST IN PEACE
RIP brotherman.
My condolences to the family. Rest in peace my dear friend.
W
My condolences to the family nd da nchanga rangers football club
With deep sorrow, my heart is filled with grief.May his soul rest in peace.
Sad. His family should be strong in the trying momments. I remeber watching him play along side the likes of “Gentile” Kapambwe Mulenga back 3, Jericho Shinde 7 right upfront, “Quick Silver” Beston Chambeshi 11 let wing?, then top 9 there who…and mid ndani? OMG! We miss you Fy Fy
Announced by his former club ZESCO, does it mean his current club has no mouth to announce. RIP.
rest in peace ba coach
Hope something will be named after him, a street or a stadium.
Ba lt how many children,grands and wives is he savived with? He was first marriege my neigber agness nambela.sad mhsrip
@ Aluta contos your English is horrible… get yourself a G12 certificate!
Comment:sad news to the soccer lover who know him,rest in peace mr simukoda
MHSRIP
Sad news Dennis Liwewe would have said there come Fighton Simukonda in control of the ball. Sweet memories of these Gallant Zambians
Sad that big Fi…you couldn’t “fight on”.
Rest in peace ba Fighton Simukonda. You will always remain a legend pa chilata
Fight -On hambani gashe …you ere a graet defender… I remember Deniss Liwewe’s voice from the ITT 2 Band Supersonic… ” Efford Chabala in Goal, shirt no 2 Laban Chishala, shirt no 3 Kapambwe Mulenga, wearing shirt no 4 Fight On Simukonda…….”
Fighton simukonda, Nkana Red devils and Zambia,….. says Dennis Liwewe both Rest in peace
WE MIGHT MEATT ON THE OTHER SIDE IF THE DESTINATION IS THE SAME. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE .
WE MIGHT MEAT ON THE OTHER SIDE IF THE DESTINATION IS THE SAME. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE .
Very sad .we black people need to be careful of Diabetes. It is killing mostly us. Lets go back to eating natural organisc foods..foods
Comment: rest in peace bashi ndanji, I remember you as player for nkana red devils and coach for stylish roan united if some pipo have forgotten RIP fayi lembo!!!
We shall greatly miss you Ba big Fi , Rest in peace coach.
BIG FI Deffence partner was Ben Pabili at 4, Gentili Mulenga at 3 and John Mofya at 2….oh neshi incilata nachilila. MHSRIP.
Comment:rest in peace ba fighton, u will owez b remembered as a legend