December 1, 2007
Legends Profile
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Charles musonda
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Charles Musonda to many is regarded as the greatest attacking midfielder Zambia has ever produced. At Anderlecht he became to be known as ‘Champagne Charly’ because of his champagne football and master class passes he produced while in Zambia he is known as ‘Charlie Cool.’
During his days at mighty Mufulira wanderers, he played alongside 1988 African footballer of Year Kalusha Bwalya, Emmanuel Munaile, late Efford Chabala and Ashious Melu.
In 1984, Charlie cool was part of the mighty side under former international Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu that won the BP challenge cup and the then 15 year old wizard was very instrumental.
In 1986, the Football Association of Zambia (The current Zambia Vice President; Rupiah Banda was part of FAZ executive) spotted two special talents and great prospects (Kalusha Bwalya, 23 and Musonda, 17) and sent them to Belgium side Cercle Brugge.
Kalusha went on to play for PSV while Musonda was snapped up by Belgium giants Anderlecht just after one season at Brugge where he made 19 appearances for the club. At Anderlecht he won the Belgium cup twice and in 1991 he lifted the Belgium first division title. The Mufulira born midfielder stayed at the club up to the 95/96 season despite being in and out of the team.
In 1996/97 season he was loaned to Sacramento Scorpions (USA) where he played alongside former Nigeria captain Stephen Keshi. In 1997, Musonda left Anderlecht after 10 years and he sighed for Energie Cottbus in the Germany Second division.
Musonda made his international debut in 1984 just aged 15, in the East and Central Senior Challenge Cup, Cecafa. The KK XI Squad won the cup and Musonda received rave views. The highlight of his international career was at the Seoul 88 Olympics where the KK11 clashed Guatemala by 4 goals to nil before embarrassing the Paolo maldini led Italians by the same margin in which Kalusha scored a hatrick.
In 1993, was called-up by his national coach Godfrey’UCAR’Chitalu, Anderlecht team manager asked Musonda to refuse the invitation and to play for Anderlecht, which Musonda did.
On its way to Senegal, the Zambia Air Force plane which was carrying the Zambia national team in Gabon and no passengers survived the crash.
Charlie Cool’s last game for the Chipolopolo boys was against Morocco in 1993. Rumour has it that he was in the squad to face South Africa at Independence stadium in 1996 but due to differences with Kalusha who was the captain by then ,could not feature.
Musonda had 48 caps to his 9 year career with the copper bullet. His has three sons and all of them are in the junior teams of Anderlecht. The oldest son Lamisha featured in the movie profiling David Beckham.
65 Comments on "Charles Musonda"
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kambani ronald on Thu, 17th Jan 2008 3:25 AM
Nice to here about charie cool iam one of the people who enjojed wacthing this great son of ZAMBIA.My concern is it appears he has no interest to help develop ZAMBIAN soccer. he may have his own reasons but we need him as a nation.The ZAMBIA under 17 coaches should also call his son LUMISHA so that the young boy can get used to fellow ZAMBIANS for the sake of the future CHIPOLOPOLO
mangani on Thu, 13th Mar 2008 5:56 AM
In the years that Charles played for the national team , he was my showman. I would go to indepence stadium just to watch Charles Musonda. I always considered him a total team player
Anonymous on Fri, 4th Apr 2008 3:03 AM
Charles in his heydays was a brilliant and intelligent midfielder. The understanding between him and Kalu was way out of this world. I used to enjoy watching him and Kalu at Mighty and with the KK 11. My humble appeal to him would be for him to contribute to Zambian soccer and help the standards to rise again
clement katongo on Thu, 24th Apr 2008 3:21 PM
website is great, full of infor please keep it up, just a word of advise please add as many photos as possible, of our footballers it would be nice to see some of our follen heroes..take care and god bless.
derricknho on Sun, 6th Jul 2008 10:19 AM
Really we miss the combination of Charlei cool and great Kalu but we need the services of Charlie at a differenr level to rise up our soccer standards.Come on Charles you can do it man.My appeal to Kalu is to calm down and sort out the difference with Charlie Cool.God bless Zambia.
chanda on Sun, 6th Jul 2008 12:27 PM
Hope if the rumours were true about him and Kalu their have put them aside by now.
E MULEYA on Thu, 31st Jul 2008 11:43 AM
Hi kindly send me or advise how i can get vidoes for charles musonda in action both in europe and africa
smog on Fri, 25th Sep 2009 9:36 AM
I wish i had the chance of Watching him playing zambian league when he was playing for mighty.