By Maimisa Josphat (MJ) – Educationist & Grassroots Football Development Activist. Zambian football is in the doldrums—not by accident, but by design through years of underinvestment, fragmented planning, and resistance to modern realities. What we are witnessing today is not a sudden decline; it is the cumulative effect of systemic neglect across infrastructure, administration, technical development, and grassroots pathways. Our domestic league is weak largely because we have failed to invest meaningfully in it. Infrastructure across the country is in poor condition, limiting the expression, refinement, and perfection of skills and talent. Football cannot flourish where training grounds are uneven, equipment is inadequate, and facilities are far removed from professional standards. School football, traditionally the heartbeat of talent identification, is now gasping for survival. In many cases, it has been reduced to a “view once” activity—appearing briefly during zonal or provincial competitions and disappearing for the rest of the year. Without continuity, structure, and support, schools cannot serve as reliable incubators of talent. At the lower end of the football pyramid, leagues remain largely unsponsored, including the ZPL Men’s National League. These competitions survive not because of sound systems, but due to the sheer passion and sacrifice of individuals. This is not sustainable. Passion without investment eventually runs out of oxygen. Digitally, our football ecosystem is stuck in the abyss of ancestral concepts. We have failed to confront and embrace modern trends in data analysis, performance tracking, digital marketing, fan engagement, and sports science. In a world where football is increasingly driven by information and technology, our reluctance to adapt is costing us competitiveness and visibility. Technically, very few clubs boast a complete and competent technical staff capable of delivering holistic player development. In modern football, success is no longer about a coach and an assistant—it requires analysts, fitness trainers, goalkeeping coaches, physiotherapists, and psychologists working in harmony. The absence of these structures is evident in the quality of play and player progression. This deficiency is also reflected in the limited number of players plying their trade in highly graded elite leagues abroad. Equally worrying is the lack of a properly structured young elite league linked to Super League clubs—one that nurtures talent with class, consistency, and status. Without such a bridge, the transition from youth to elite football remains fragile. Statistically and progressively, even the top goal scorers’ charts in our highest league are not convincing. This points to deeper tactical and technical shortcomings. High-class tactical training for coaches, consistent exposure to advanced methodologies, and strict adherence to modern football principles remain grossly inadequate. The challenges extend beyond the pitch. There is a glaring deficit in administrative capacity, technical expertise, and equipment investment—particularly at grassroots and amateur developmental levels. These leagues exist largely because of individual commitment rather than institutional support. Furthermore, the spirit of coexistence in diversity for national patriotism appears to be eroding. Football should unite communities and regions, yet decentralization without real investment has resulted in solidarity with positions rather than solidarity with purpose and resources. One of our biggest failures has been the inability to nurture teams as units from Under-17 to Under-20 and seamlessly transition them into senior football. Development cannot be random; it must be deliberate, progressive, and systematic. What Zambian football desperately needs is a clear, long-term strategic roadmap—one that is owned by all stakeholders and protected from the instability of administrative changes. The what must remain standardized; only the how should vary with leadership styles. To achieve this, decentralized structures such as the National Sports Council, FAZ, and ZASSA must come to a round table and harmonize the football approach under a common national strategic plan. Fragmentation has been our undoing; collaboration must now be our salvation. Local community academies should be formally networked with schools within their proximity to ensure continuous talent identification and development. Schools, with their seasonal tournaments, provide access, while academies provide continuity. This partnership would also strengthen the integration of education and football—ensuring we develop not just players, but well-rounded citizens. Finally, Physical Education and Sport must receive a material and policy boost and be compulsory in all schools. Without PE, there are no platforms for young talent. Without platforms, there is no future. Zambian football does not lack talent. What it lacks is vision, coordination, and commitment to long-term investment. Until we confront these realities honestly and act decisively, the game we love will continue to struggle—not because it cannot rise, but because we have refused to build the ladder.
