- Fighton Simukonda was a Zambian coach and former footballer.
- He was born on the 2nd of February 1958
- He was part of the Nkana Red Devils side of the 1980s, winning five league titles, and he also captained Zambia
- Simukonda was born in Chingola where 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 where he lined up with players like Ronald Mkandawire,
Lackson Chanda, Michael Chabala and Boniface ‘Killer’ Chanda - 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 on a compensation package
- While still serving the ban, Simukonda left the country to ply his trade in South Africa, becoming the third Zambian player after Albert Bwalya and John Mwanza to play in the ostracised country due to apartheid, which also meant that he did not need an international clearance
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Fighton Simukonda
1174
Previous Post10 Things You Didn't Know About Bizwell Phiri
Next Post10 Things You Didn’t Know About Felix Katongo
