Isaac Lungu
| Isaac Lungu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Isaac Lungu February 17, 1958 |
| Occupation | Accountant |
| Employer | Dalyn Mine |
| Spouse(s) | Tracy |
| Children | Naison, Alec, Jessica and Elmelda |
| Family | Ephert Lungu |
Isaac Lungu is a Zimbabwean former footballer who is brother to former Zimbabwe national team player Ephert Lungu. His career was halted by a horrific injury.
Background
Isaac Lungu was born on 17 February 1958. He is married to Tracy and they have been married for the past 39 years. The couple is blessed with four children Naison, Alec, Jessica and Elmelda. He is now working at Dalyn Mine as an accountant, Chakari, Kadoma. At secondary school he was a key member of the squad and helped their team in winning a number of trophies in zonal competitions.
Career
Isaac can proudly say he was inspired to play football by his brother Ephert Lungu who turned out for Rio Tinto FC and the Zimbabwe National Team (Warriors). After having watched him a number of times playing street football he told him that he could be a good striker if he concentrated his efforts to soccer and it could open other avenues for him. He did just that and the rest is history.
After school he joined Shamrock Mine a Division Three outfit and stayed with the side from 1973 up the end of the season in 1975. In 1976 he took his footballing career to the elite league when he joined a Midlands outfit — Risco Steel FC. He was not a mediocre forward who fluffed chances but was a dependable striker. He became a permanent member of the first team and reveals that he never missed a match unless when he was nursing an injury or when he was not feeling well.[1]
But his footballing years had not been without heartaches, in 1977 his side was thrashed 5-2 by Zimbabwe Saints at their home ground, Torwood Stadium. Following that Zimbabwe Saints clinched the Rhodesia National Football League title. The year 1978 goes down as his best season in Risco Steel colours as he played an instrumental role in helping the Midlands outfit clinch Castle Cup after beating BAT Ramblers 4-1 at Rufaro Stadium.
In the following year (1979) Lungu played an instrumental role as he aided his side in settling for Castle Cup runners-up. However, he had his fair share of heartaches after the determined well-oiled Risco machine was defeated 4-2 by CAPS United Football Club in Castle Cup. However, his worst moments came when his side was relegated to Division One in 1981 and Paul Moyo was unceremoniously dismissed. The late football stalwart Morrison Sifelani took headship of the side but the players did not accept the change.
But he did not slow down in improving his work rate and perfecting his skill as he gave his best as a result in 1983 he was selected into Zimbabwe national team that participated in a tournament in Kenya. The squad had the household names like Stanley Ndunduma, Japhet Mparutsa, Stanford Mtizwa and Joseph Zulu and his brother Ephert Lungu just to mention five of the galaxy of stars that wrote their own piece of history in Zimbabwe football books. That year (1983) goes down as the major highlight of his career as he was the second top goal scorer in the league after having banged in 19 goals. For his sterling efforts he was rewarded with Z$500. His glowing career had to come to an end in 1993 after he suffered a horrific injury.
Coaching Career
He then became Ziscosteel coach. During his early months of coaching he took up a course in coaching. After a short stint with Ziscosteel he left at the end of season in 1994 and joined Falcon Dalyn Mine. He is a Level Three holder of coaching certificate with ZISCA and also holds a British International Preliminary Coaching certificate. At Dalyn Mine’s technical department he joined his brother Ephert Lungu. After his football career he worked at Falcon Gold Mine as an accountant.
Injury
He fractured his right leg after he collided with a defender. He was operated on and when he recovered he did not regain his form as a result that forced him to quit soccer at the age of 35.
