 On 25 May 1981, Chitalu was bestowed with the Insignia of Honour by Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda for his contribution to Zambian football.Afterwards, he said,

Chitalu got involved in coaching as early as 1975, when he served as assistant player-coach at Warriors.In 1978, he was named interim national team coach for a two-match trip to Swaziland which Zambia comfortably won 6–1 and 5–2.