The Zambia Football Fans Association (ZAFFA) has […]

The Zambia Football Fans Association (ZAFFA) has called for large-scale investments in the construction of grassroots mini-stadia, citing that Zambia has enormous talent but lacks facilities. Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times, ZAFFA President Chaweza observed that the lack of quality facilities has impacted the country’s ability to produce quality players for exposition to major clubs.

 He added that with the country aspiring to qualify for the World Cup, it is only possible if the Football Association of Zambia and its allies are deliberate on the drive.

 “We make the mistake of failing to groom our talent; we can’t have players on dusty pitches. They just come to play in proper pitches when they go for a tournament, or even the AFCON; they cannot perform, and when they go for trials, they fail to perform.”

Chaweza urged the government to come up with a deliberate policy for companies to incorporate their corporate social responsibility in building infrastructure; if we develop these things, then we will have risen up.” Chaweza observed that despite comparisons by fans over Chipolopolo replicating what the fellow African teams have done at the World Cup, in the current state, Zambia cannot.

“It is difficult for Zambia to replicate what our brothers participating in the World Cup have done, the issue of looking for players in the diaspora and changing their allegiance, because if we look around, we have very few of Zambian descent, but let’s be like Morocco and focus on homegrown talent.” “Results have started showing from under 17, 20, and 23 and even the senior national team; where we lose it is the direction of grooming talent.

Article by Samuel Mutale