Himonde Hichani

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HICHANI HIMONDE Birthdate: 1.08.1987 Birthplace: Lusaka; Zambia Position: Defender Appearances: 16 Goals: 1 Clubs Lusaka Dynamos Honours: 2006 Cecafa Cup; 2007 African Youth Cup-semi finalist; 2007 All Africa Games-semi finalist 2008 African Cup of Nations Current Position FAZ President

Lusaka-born Himonde Hichani is a tall and agile centre-back. An intelligent defender, Hichani combines an uncompromising physical approach with the ability to pass the ball out from the back.

Himonde arrived at Lusaka Dynamos in 2006 with great promise and potential.

Highly-regarded at his former youth teams where he won two Bronze medals at the Gothia and a Gold medal at Dona cups in Sweden with Chiparamba and another Gothia cup medal with Edusport became a regular in the Dynamos defence in the 2006 season just aged 18 years.

The 20 year old who is dominant in the air and strong on the tackle has been nicknamed ‘HH’ after a Zambian Politian, Hakainde Hichilema.

Himonde’s impressive defensive displays for Dynamos caught the eye of the national team coach Patrick Phiri. Phiri was so impressed with young defender that he handed him an earlier than expected senior international debut against Burundi in the 2005 CECAFA Challenge Cup tournament.

At the tournament ‘HH’ looked at ease alongside Kennedy Nkhetani as they helped Zambia win the tournament.

Himonde’s development also caught the eye of the Under-20 coach George ’Chicken’ Lwandamina who drafted him into his African Youth Cup bound Squad. ‘HH’ displaced Green Buffaloes’ Dennis Banda to partner Nyambe Mulenga in the first match against Nigeria at the championship but unfortunately,he gave a shake performances in Zambia s 4-2 loss.

He was ousted from starting XI and watched the rest of the matches from the bench as the junior Chipolopolo finished fourth subsequently qualifying for 2007 FIFA World Youth Cup.

The Dynamos defender eventually lost his under-20 place and he was not picked in the final under-20 squad travelling for the World Youth Cup. His omission from the squad was regrettable as Lwandamina only had two centre backs in Banda and Nyambe.

The tall defender’s fine form for Dynamos in the 2007 KCM/FAZ Premier League season alerted Under-23 coach Peter Kaumba and ‘HH’ was slotted in the under-23 defence alongside Clive Sichiondwe and Davies Nkausu as though he has been playing for years. He has so far made 16 appearances and was part the team that came fourth at the All Africa games in July 2007.

The young defender is also a potent threat from set pieces and he has powerful long range strike.

Himonde also had a two weeks stint with South African glamour side Kaizer Chiefs but he failed to clinch a deal with the Amakhosi.

Himonde is considered as one of the finest young defenders in Zambia but time will tell if he will make the transformation from a budding talent to an accomplished defender.

The defender made his AFCON debut when came on Kennedy Nkhetani’s replacement in the 5-1 loss to Cameroon. Still only 20, he got the valuable experience and exposure for the future, bring on 2010 qualifiers.

In the 2008 season, the Lusaka Dynamos skipper is leading by example. He is the leading scorer for his club with three goals.