Dennis Lota facts for kids
Dennis Lota was a famous football player from Zambia. He was born on November 8, 1973, and sadly passed away on February 4, 2014. He was known as a powerful striker, which means he was great at scoring goals for his team. People often called him "Chesa Mpama" because of his unique way of celebrating goals. He played for many football clubs and proudly represented his country, Zambia, in big tournaments.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 8 November 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Kitwe, Zambia | ||
| Date of death | 4 February 2014 (aged 40) | ||
| Place of death | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1996 | Konkola Blades | 33 | (26) |
| 1996–1997 | Witbank Aces | 30 | (23) |
| 1997–1998 | Sion | 21 | (14) |
| 1998–2002 | Orlando Pirates | 100 | (36) |
| 2002–2003 | Espérance | ||
| 2003–2004 | Dangerous Darkies | ||
| 2004–2006 | Moroka Swallows | ||
| 2006–2007 | FC AK | ||
| 2007–2008 | AmaZulu | 16 | (4) |
| 2008–2009 | Mpumalanga Black Aces | ||
| International career | |||
| 1994–2002 | Zambia | 78 | (21) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Contents
Dennis Lota: A Zambian Football Star
Dennis Lota's journey in football began in 1989. He started playing professionally with Zanaco FC in Zambia. Later, he moved to Nchanga Rangers in 1991. There, he played in the midfield, working well with his teammate Abeauty Kunda.
Becoming a Top Striker
After Nchanga Rangers, Dennis Lota joined Kabwe Warriors. He didn't stay long and soon moved to Konkola Blades. It was at Konkola Blades that his career changed forever. Benjamin Bwalya, a famous football figure, helped Dennis become a powerful striker.
In 1995, Dennis Lota became the top scorer in the league, winning the golden boot award. This made him a target for international clubs. He later joined FC Sion, a team in Switzerland.
Playing for Orlando Pirates
After playing for FC Sion, Dennis Lota joined Orlando Pirates. This is a very popular football club in South Africa. He became famous for his amazing goal-scoring skills. He also had a special way of celebrating goals by rubbing his palms together.
This celebration earned him the nickname "Chesa Mpama." In the Zulu language, "Chesa Mpama" means "hot slap." This nickname stuck with him throughout his career.
Playing for His Country
Dennis Lota was a very important player for the Zambia national team. He played in four major African Nations Cup tournaments:
- 1996
- 1998
- 2000
- 2002
He played alongside his younger brother, Charles Lota, in the Zambian attack during the 2002 African Cup of Nations. His older brother, Lawrence Lota, also played football.
Life After Playing
After his playing career, Dennis Lota continued to be involved in football. In March 2011, he became an assistant coach for the first team at Moroka Swallows. He helped guide the players and share his experience.
Sadly, Dennis Lota passed away on February 4, 2014, in South Africa. He had been ill for a short time, and it was thought he might have had malaria. At the time of his passing, he was still serving as an assistant coach for Moroka Swallows.
