Bisa Gallants At the establishment of the Roan Antelope Copper Mine in 1927, African soccer was organised on tribal lines.

At the birth of Roan Antelope United were such great African stars as Innocent ‘Mummy’ Malama, Dick Katongo, James Temani, Ginger Pensulo, Kenny Banda, Augustine ‘Baba Gasto’ Bwalya, Happy George Banda, Apro Musengule, Fix Kalunga, Laskey Mwandu, Gibson Nkumba and Samuel Yasa.1 From Roan Antelope Callies came Ron Patterson (the first NFL chairman), Frank Petler, John Flintham, Teddy Pyle, John Dismuss and one unique big catch - Tony Castela.

Castela was a former Portuguese international star that had played in the 1958 World Cup qualifiers alongside the legendary Mozambican Eusebio.2 Providing leadership was a powerful multi-racial executive committee comprising Richard Howie (President), Bob Menzies (Vice President), Alex Hendry (chairman), Boniface Koloko (Secretary), Johnson Malama (Vice Chairman) and Edward Matale (Assistant Team Manager).

Similar honours were gained by the junior side.5 Roan are famed for producing great names in the history of Zambian football.

There was Innocent ‘Mummy’ Malama , Happy Malama, Emmanuel Mwape, Vincent Chileshe, Kenny Mwape, Ghost Mulenga, Richard Mwanza, Simon Chande, Julius Chilambo, Laston Simpasa, Simon Kapende, Anderson Banda, Gibson Ngwira and Davies Phiri.

For instance Kabwe Warriors was at its best in the mid-1960s and '70s with ex-Roan stars: Sunday Kaposa, Boniface Simutowe, Godfrey Mpula, Phillip Tembo, Dyson Mugala, Francis Chilombo, Simon Kapende, Guards Sakala, Daniel Chileshe, Laskey Mwandu, Jack Chanda, Godfrey Munshya, Barry Kamfwa Kayuni, Moses Masuwa and Linos Chisanga.

Rhokana United enticed Fordson Kabole, Hudson Kamfwa Kasongo, Simon Chande, Bernard Chanda, Richard Mugala, Emmanuel Mwape and Gamma Mwelwa.

Giant killers Strike Rovers would take on Brannel Stewart Jambila, Lasso Laimoni, Manasseh Jumbe and goalkeeper Aaron Mwape (another young brother to Emmanuel).

Vitafoam befitted through the services of Richard Mwanza, Adrian Chota, Frank Mayekela, Abraham Liyembele and Lackson Chanda.

Bruster Nsama and Peter Chanda were to raise Mpelembe FC to limelight whilst Laston Simpasa served Red Arrows and Green Buffaloes as goalkeeper.