In 1990, disaster struck when Warriors were relegated and coach Jack Chanda was fired. The club called on Chitalu to lead them back to the top league and he obliged by first ensuring that none of the club's top players left to join other clubs. Warriors set a blistering pace in Division I which led to a swift return to the Premier League. They also won the Challenge Cup after a resounding 7–0 defeat of Konkola Blades and the Champion of Champions Trophy through a 2–1 win over Nkana Red Devils. Eyebrows were raised when Chitalu, the coach of a team in a lower division was rewarded with the Coach of the Year trophy, ahead of Freddie Mwila of Power Dynamos who had won the Premier League and African Cup Winners' Cup double.Banda, Mann. "I deserved the award – Chitalu" The Weekly Post, 28 February – 5 March 1992, p.19Anon. "I deserve the award, quips coach Chitalu," Times of Zambia, 24 February 1992. P.10
