After 22 years of dedicated service, countless heroic saves, and a trophy-laden career, Racha Kola, affectionately known as ‘Dida’ after Brazilian World Cup winner Nelson Dida, has hung up his gloves, drawing the curtain on one of Zanaco’s most illustrious playing careers.
To say Racha retires as a club icon is not an understatement. He first joined Zanaco’s feeder team, Young Zanaco, as a teenager, quickly rose through the ranks, earning a swift promotion to the main team, where he cemented his legacy as a club great.
Following his retirement, he sat down with Zanaco Media to reflect on his career.
“When I joined young Zanaco, it took me only three months to be promoted to the senior team. It was easy to break into the team at that moment because Zanaco had great goalkeepers,” he recalls.
“When I joined young Zanaco, it took me only three months to be promoted to the senior team. It was easy to break into the team at that moment because Zanaco had great goalkeepers,” he recalls.
That time, Zanaco had the likes of Zambia international Gorge Kolala and Kalunga Mpunga.
He made his debut on October 5, 2003, in a 3-2 away defeat to Green Buffaloes, but it was not until 2007 that he became a regular first-choice goalkeeper.
“By 2007, that is when I became a regular,” he says, “I benefited a lot from the top keepers that we had then because they helped push me to the level that I became,” he recalls.
What does it take to be at one club for over two decades?
“Well, I think for me, first things first, it was the grace of God, it was not easy, I could not have done it on my own. Also, it takes hard work and discipline and having a great support system around you,” he says.
Racha says his decision to retire is driven by his desire to take a rest.
“It is about time,” he says, “I now have to think about my next phase in life when I start contributing to the game in another capacity. This is the right time,” he says.
Looking back, Racha says the 2012 season was his best campaign when he was named the player of the season at the club.
