Rising Stars with DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO
BEFORE Lusaka Dynamos bounced back to the Super Division this season, his name was rarely mentioned.
It could either be that most soccer pundits were too blind to see the potential that lay in his youthful legs or they rarely take interest watching the lower division leagues.
Conlyde Luchanga has become a household name in the Super Division as his name always finds itself on the backpages of newspapers.
The 18-year old forward spotted in Mazabuka has helped Dynamos withstand pressure in the topflight.
His precision on goal surpasses his fellow strikers in the squad, and is one of coach Perry Mutapa’s regulars.
Dynamos are tenth on the log with 21 points at par with Green Eagles.
“I have always wanted to play in the Super Division and I am happy that my dream has come to pass. It feels great playing in the elite league at my age and I hope to improve my career further. I will use what I have to get what I want,” he says.
BACKGROUND
He is the only child in the family and was born on March 11, 1997.
Before joining Dynamos at the beginning of this season, Conlyde was staying in Mazabuka with her mother Martha Mulala, a prison warder.
Conlyde completed secondary education at St Edmunds last year.
His passion for football affected his performance in school and has put his ambition of studying law on halt, until he improves his grade 12 results.
“My results were not very good. I didn’t do well and I am planning to rewrite so that I can improve my results. I concentrated too much on playing football and that affected me but my plans of becoming a lawyer are still very much alive. In the meantime, I am concentrating on my football career because that’s where my passion is,” he says.
Conlyde admitted that football got in to his head and failed to manage his time well.
CAREER
Conlyde was inspired by his father Kebby Luchanga, the former Prison Leopards goalkeeper.
He started playing football at a tender age and got actively involved in the game when he was nine years old.
His first competitive game was with Young Warriors, a club that molded him to a modest player.
When his mother was transferred to Mazabuka last year, Conlyde joined Division One (South) Mazabuka United.
It was through his outstanding performance with the Mazabuka-based side that landed him a deal with Dynamos.
“We played against Lusaka Dynamos in a league match and Hanif Adams was impressed with the way I performed. I was approached and got interested…that’s how I found myself playing for Dynamos,” Conlyde said.
Conlyde scored five goals with Mazabuka United.
He was not consistent because of being in an examination class.
He was also part of the Zambia schools team that participated in the Council of Southern African Schools Sports Association (COSASSA) games in Namibia last year.
In 2012, Conlyde took part in the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) competition and made it to the provincial team.
He has ambitions of turning professional with English Premiership side Arsenal being his dream team.
IDOL
Spanish and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is Conlyde’s role model.
“I am just inspired with his skill. He is a good player and I like the way he makes football seem so simple,” he says.
For comments: dmutakafimbo@daily-mail.co.zm