Chilengi first featured for Buffaloes in 1976 where he was mainly a reserve defender to the club's first choice central defensive pairing of Dick Chama and Robert Lutoba.
He succeeded Emmy Musonda as Zambian captain and made history by leading Zambia to their first-ever CECAFA Cup success in Uganda.
Back home, Chilengi faced undue criticism for the penalty miss and claimed he would have been forced into early retirement had Zambia failed to win the trophy.
When the Zambians travelled to Yaounde in two weeks time, the Lions recalled all their big names such as Roger Milla and Louis Mfede with the locals predicting a 6–0 white-wash. To the dismay of a packed Stade Ahmadu Adhijo, Zambia took the lead when Chilengi thundered homen a 7th minute free-kick.
After talking to his family and top officials from Buffaloes' sponsors Zambia Army, Chilengi rescinded his decision and decided to go back to the pitch to 'face more insults,' as he called it.
He turned around the fortunes of United, leading them to a top five finish in 1989 before leaving to join the emerging Premier League side Zamsure F.C.
In October 1998, Chilengi watched as Zambia struggled at home against Congo DR in a 1–1 draw under Fighton Simukonda in a Nations Cup qualifier and offered to coach the Zambian team for free, saying that he could put together a formidable side.