Patson Daka’s Goal-Scoring Surge: Climbing the All-Time Chipolopolo Charts
By Samson Mulambya Bagba | November 23, 2023
Patson Daka has etched his name deeper into Zambian football history, breaking into the top ten all-time scorers for the Chipolopolo after a stellar performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Leicester City striker’s impactful brace against Congo Brazzaville and a crucial goal against Niger elevated his national team goal tally to 18 in 40 appearances. This accomplishment propelled Daka to the ninth spot in the prestigious list of Zambia’s all-time goal scorers.
At the pinnacle of this chart sits the legendary Godfrey Chitalu, boasting an impressive 79 goals in just 111 caps. Chitalu’s remarkable record places him comfortably ahead of Alex Chola, who secured the second spot with 43 goals in 102 games. The third position is held by Kalusha Bwalya, the 1998 African Footballer of the Year, with 39 goals in 87 national team appearances.
Daka’s trajectory suggests a promising challenge to Kalusha Bwalya’s position. At 25 years old, the Leicester City star is on a mission to climb higher in the ranks. While the daunting task of surpassing Chitalu’s record looms large, Daka’s current goal-scoring efficiency rivals the best in Zambian football history.
Comparatively, Daka’s efficiency matches that of Kalusha Bwalya (0.45) and surpasses the likes of Bernard Chanda (0.43), Alex Chola (0.42), Collins Mbesuma (0.34), and Christopher Katongo (0.22).
If Daka sustains his prolific scoring form, projections place him in the second spot on the list by the time he reaches 100 appearances for the Chipolopolo. Considering he is yet to reach his prime, the prospect of challenging Godfrey Chitalu’s formidable record of 79 international goals remains an exciting narrative in Zambian football. Chitalu’s legacy as Africa’s all-time top scorer for national teams adds an extra layer of significance to Daka’s pursuit of greatness.
Here is the ranking:
| RANK | NAME | GOALS | CAPS | RATIO |
| 1. | Godfrey Chitalu | 79 | 111 | 0.71 |
| 2. | Alex Chola | 43 | 102 | 0.42 |
| 3. | Kalushya Bwalya | 39 | 87 | 0.45 |
| 4. | Bernard Chanda | 29 | 68 | 0.43 |
| 5. | Christopher Katongo | 23 | 103 | 0.22 |
| 6. | Collins Mbesuma | 22 | 65 | 0.34 |
| 7. | Denis Lota | 21 | 78 | 0.27 |
| 8. | Kenneth Malitoli | 19 | 80 | 0.24 |
| 9. | Patson Daka | 18 | 40 | 0.45 |
| 10. | James Chamanga | 17 | 63 | 0.27 |
