By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
FIGHTON Simukonda’s daughter, Nancy, says Nchanga Rangers can only honour her late father by winning the Super League title.
Simukonda, who died on Monday after a battle with diabetes, will be put to rest today in Chingola.
Nancy said in an interview that her father never stopped talking about Rangers even during the time he was admitted to hospital.
“He was a man who loved soccer despite the challenges. Even when he was sick he used to give instructions to his assistants that he had to win the league this season.
“I just pray that in a way to recognise him, Nchanga Rangers should win the league. That’s what he wanted most. He loved the club so much, I used to ask him why he remained with the club when most players had left but he said he had faith in the team and would find other players to help win the league,” Nancy said.
Nancy said her father helped her and her siblings belong to a big family because of his involvement in football.
She said at some point Simukonda played the role of both father and mother to Nancy and her siblings after losing his wife.
Nancy said that most of the family members were still in shock especially her daughter Agnes, who was named after Simukonda’s first wife who died 19 years ago.
“In January, it was her (Agnes) birthday and he promised to get her a present so she was asking if this is the present he promised her,” Nancy narrated.
She said the family felt like they have lost everything because no one had prepared for the death as everyone was hopeful that Simukonda would recover.
Nancy further said she was looking forward to seeing her son start playing football knowing he would learn a lot from his grandfather but it was never God’s plan.
“He was a father to many. He would pick up a street kid and make him his child. He treated the players like his own children. He was not an ordinary man. He was a legend and hope Zambia can have more people like him who loved football so much without putting money first,” said Nancy.
Meanwhile, Simukonda’s body was yesterday transferred from Konkola Mine Hospital mortuary to Nchanga South Hospital Mortuary.
Club secretary Jim Chongo said the funeral procession will be held at Nchanga Stadium before proceeding to the cemetery where the former Under-23 coach will be interred.
Chongo said the procession is expected to start at 09:30 hours at Nchanga Stadium where body viewing will be done after a sermon, speeches and tributes are conducted.
And Chongo said Simukonda was irreplaceable because no one can match what he has done for the club.
He said if it was not for Simukonda’s hard work and good coaching credentials, Rangers would have been in division one by now.
“He was a fantastic coach. Everyone saw how Nchanga was struggling, losing players to other clubs. If it wasn’t for his hard work, we would have found ourselves in division one,” Chongo said.