Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu (October 22, 1947 – April 27, 1993) was not only the greatest Zambian player ever but also the holder of the national team goal-scoring record.
Nicknamed ‘Ucar’, Chitalu was a forceful and often temperamental target man who was Zambian Footballer of the Year a record five times. In 1972, he rewrote the record books by scoring 107 goals in all competitions in a single season.
Upon retirement, Chitalu took to coaching and was in charge of the Zambia national team when the entire squad perished in a plane crash off the coast of Gabon on April 27, 1993. Godfrey “Ucar” Chitalu is a great son of Zambia, a real hero, and the world record holder for most goals scored in a year.
When your children ask about great footballers, never forget to mention this great African, this Zambian legend. It’s essential to share this history with the new generation.
Below is a breakdown of how Chitalu achieved the 107-goal record:
23.01.72 Warriors v Majantja National Stadium Africa Club Champions 2-2 Chitalu (2)*** (Not included to official record)
06.02.72 Warriors v Majantja Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Africa Club Champions 9-0 Chitalu (7), S. Mvula, B. Simutowe (Not included to official record)
27.02.72 Warriors v Kitwe United Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Charity Shield 1-0 Chitalu 1
05.03.72 Warriors v Zambia Police Railway Stadium League 5-2 Chitalu (2), S. Kaposa (2), B. Simutowe (1)
11.03.72 Warriors v Zambia Army Independence Stadium League 1-1 S. Kaposa –
12.03.72 Warriors v Maseru United Railway Stadium Friendly 7-1 Chitalu (3), Sim, S. Kaposa (3) 3
19.03.72 Warriors v St. Michaels Independence Stadium Africa Club Champions 2-1 Chitalu, F. Ngulube 1
25.03.72 Warriors v Rokhana United Railway Stadium League 2-6 S. Mvula, Simutowe –
26.03.72 Warriors v Mufulira Blackpool Kamuchanga Stadium League 2-3 S. Mvula, Ngulube –
31.03.72 Warriors v Norco Rangers Railway Stadium Chibuku Cup 1st round 14-2 G. Zulu (4), Chitalu (3), O. Musonda (3), Kaposa (3), Simutowe 3
02.04.72 Warriors v Lusaka Tigers Railway Stadium League 4-0 Chitalu, Simutowe, G. Zulu, Kaposa 1
09.04.72 Warriors v St. Michaels Antananarivo Africa Club Champions 3-0 Chitalu, O. Musonda (2) 1
15.04.72 Warriors v Rothmans Queensmead Stadium Challenge Cup 10-0 Chitalu (3), O. Musonda (3), Simutowe (2), E. Musonda, G. Zulu 3
16.04.72 Warriors v Nchanga Rangers Railway Stadium League 2-1 Chitalu (2) 2
22.04.72 Warriors v Zambia Air Force Railway Stadium Castle Cup 12-2 Kaposa (5) Chitalu (3) O. Musonda (2), Simutowe (2) 3
23.04.72 Warriors v City of Lusaka Woodlands Stadium League 3-0 Chitalu, Simutowe, M. Mibengwe 1
30.04.72 Zambia v Lesotho National Stadium World Cup Qualifier 0-0 – –
07.05.72 Zambia v Sheffield United Independence Stadium Friendly 1-1 Chitalu 1
10.05.72 Zambia v Sheffield United Scrivener Stadium Friendly 1-3 Mhango –
14.05.72 Zambia v Sheffield United Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Friendly 1-4 Kapengwe –
21.05.72 Warriors v Butondo W. Tigers Harry Hart Stadium League 3-2 Chitalu (2), S. Mvula 2
22.05.72 Warriors v Ndola United Railway Stadium League 3-1 Chitalu (2), S. Mvula 2
28.05.72 Warriors v Kalulushi M. Stars Railway Stadium League 12-3 Chitalu (6), Kaposa (4), E. Musonda, Simutowe 6
04.06.72 Zambia v Lesotho Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium World Cup Qualifier 6-1 Chitalu (2), F. Mwila (3), J. Mapulanga 2
10.06.72 Warriors v Kalulushi M. Stars Railway Stadium Challenge Cup 7-3 Chitalu (2), S. Mvula, S. Malama, S. Kaposa (2), B. Simutowe 2
11.06.72 Warriors v Rhokana United Railway Stadium Castle Cup 5-3 Chitalu (2), Kaposa, O. Musonda, Simutowe 2
17.06.72 Warriors v Butondo W. Tigers Railway Stadium Chibuku Cup 6-1 Chitalu (3), Oliver Musonda, Gibby Zulu, Fred Ngulube 3
18.06.72 Warriors v Zambia Police Woodlands Stadium League 7-1 Chitalu (4), O. Musonda, Kaposa 4
25.06.72 Warriors v Mufulira Wanderers Shinde Stadium Castle Cup 1/4 3-2 Chitalu (2), O. Musonda 2
28.06.72 Warriors v Zambia Army Railway Stadium League 3-4 O. Musonda (2), S. Mvula –
02.07.72 Warriors v Rokhana United Scrivener Stadium League 1-4 Chitalu 1
04.07.72 Warriors v Union Espanola Scrivener Stadium Friendly 1-1 Chitalu –
07.07.72 Zambia v Union Espanola Scrivener Stadium Friendly 1-1 Chitalu 1
09.07.72 Zambia v Union Espanola Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Friendly 0-1 – –
17.07.72 Warriors v Lusaka Tigers Matero Stadium League 6-1 Chitalu (3), Kaposa, G. Zulu, Stephenson 3
22.07.72 Warriors v Butondo W. Tigers Railway Stadium Challenge Cup 1/4 10-0 Chitalu (2), S. Kaposa (6), G. Mpula (2) 2
23.07.72 Warriors v Butondo W. Tigers Railway Stadium League 5-0 Chitalu (4), Kaposa 4
30.07.72 Warriors v Nchanga Rangers Gabbitas Stadium League 1-1 Chitalu 1
05.08.72 Warriors v Buseko FC Railway Stadium Chibuku Cup 1/4 10-2 Chitalu (5), Simutowe (3), Kaposa (2) 5
06.08.72 Warriors v Zambia Eagles Woodlands Stadium Challenge Cup 1/2 3-0 Chitalu, J. Chomba, Kaposa 1
12.08.72 Warriors v Mufulira Wanderers Shinde Stadium League 5-1 Chitalu (4), Kaposa 4
14.08.72 All Stars v The Rest Buchi Stadium Exhibition 4-3 Chitalu (2), F. Mwila, E. Kapengwe 2
20.08.72 Warriors v Roan United Gabbitas Stadium Castle Cup 1/2 6-1 Chitalu (5) Ngulube 5
27.08.72 Warriors v Ndola United Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium League 2-2 Simutowe, Chitalu 1
03.09.72 Warriors v Ndola United Woodlands Stadium Challenge Cup Final 3-1 Chitalu (2), Kaposa 2
10.09.72 Warriors v Roan United Gabbitas Stadium Chibuku Cup 1/2 3-2 Chitalu, S. Mvula, Simutowe 1
17.09.72 Warriors v Rhokana Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Chibuku Cup Final 5-3 Chitalu (4), Simutowe 4
01.10.72 Warriors v Hearts of Oak Accra Africa Club Champions 2-7 Simutowe, Chitalu 1
15.10.72 Warriors v Hearts of Oak Independence Stadium Africa Club Champions 1-2 Chitalu 1
22.10.11 Warriors v Blackpool Railway Stadium League – Not played, Blackpool failed to turn up –
28.10.72 Warriors v Roan United Kafubu Stadium League 4-1 Chitalu (3), Kaposa 3
29.10.72 Warriors v Wanderers Railway Stadium League 7-1 Chitalu (3), Mvula, G. Zulu (2), Simutowe 3
05.11.72 Warriors v Kitwe United Dag Hammarskjoeld Stadium Castle Cup Final 6-1 Chitalu (3), Mvula, Simutowe, Kaposa 3
11.11.72 Warriors v Kitwe United Railway Stadium League 1-1 Simutowe –
12.11.72 Warriors v City of Lusaka Railway Stadium League 9-2 Chitalu (4), Mvula, Simutowe (2), G. Zulu (2), R. Stephenson 4
18.11.72 Warriors v Kalulushi M. Stars Independence Stadium League 4-2 Chitalu (3), O. Musonda 3
19.11.72 Warriors v Roan United Railway Stadium League – Abandoned in 35th minute –
26.11.72 Warriors v Kitwe United Railway Stadium League 4-0 Chitalu (2), Kaposa, Simutowe 2
03.12.72 Midlands XI v Copperbelt XI Scrivener Stadium NFL Trophy 2-5 Chitalu, Zulu 1
10.12.72 Midlands XI v Copperbelt XI Independence Stadium NFL Trophy 5-3 Chitalu (2), M’hango (3) 2
TOTAL GOALS: 107
Chitalu scored a total of 107 goals in the 1972 season, showcasing his incredible skill and dedication to the sport. This achievement remains an inspiration to footballers around the world.
Credit: Aaron Muban Jnr
