WHY ZAMBIAN CLUB FOOTBALL WILL SEE MORE FOREIGN INTERNATIONALS There has been a lot of debate over the last few months on the pro and cons of the inclusion of foreign nationals in Zambian Football. As one will read on its clear that several foreign born players have helped shape Zambian football into what it is today. Beginning with Congolese Born Alex Chola who was one of Zambias most gifted midfielders. A Zimbabwean National once remarked that in the 1970s when Alexs club Power Dynamos went on tour to Zimbabwe business literally came to a halt in Harare as thousands flocked to watch Alexs skills. Every Zambian will agree the joy they felt when Zambian of Congolese decent Stoppila Sunzu stepped up and scored the winning penalty that won Zambia the Afcon. Ever since 2013 the crowds in Zambian Club football have steadily increased since their decline in the early 2000s. Africas biggest Sports Broadcaster Supersport came onto the scene in 2009 and began broadcasting ZSL matches. These broadcasts have steadily increased with a figure of around 80 games shown in 2013 made the ZSL the most broadcasted league on Supersport after the PSL. Its on this backdrop that hundreds of foreign players have shown willingness to participate in the league. In 2009 Italian SERIE C midfielder Fabbio Pellacini joined Green Buffalos in a surprise move as he featured for the club for half a season before getting noticed by PSL side Kaizer Chiefs. Others continued to arrive with an Egyptian trying out for Napsa Stars when they gained promotion but work permit issues prevented him from playing. In 2013 another former Ghanaian Under 20 International tried his luck at Zesco United and Napsa Stars but was declined of a contract due to his age. A number of young Tanzanian, Burundian and Tswana players have over the past few years been given trials with some being included in the youth teams of some Zambian sides. When one young foreign upcoming player was talked to and he said I wanted to come because I enjoyed watching the league on TV and wanted to test my skills, now Im here and my team is also taking care of me well and Ive been given accommodation which is not the case in my country With the sudden increase in the number of foreign Nationals on trials and an conservative stand by clubs it came as a Surprise when Nkana announced the signing of Ugandan Striker Tony Odur. Tony Odur who gave Nkana a torid time was Nkana striker Evans Kangwas direct replacement. Now is the time for clubs to realize that if they cant find the right player locally there are several countries with junior and senior Internationals that we can afford, one cant deny that there is quality around africa and those clubs which wont transform will be left behind Said a Zambian club official. Another Zambian journalist noted We are at this point now and can only move forward, the impact of foreign nationals can not be denied, weve seen the EPL, Bundesliga and many leagues grow and foreign nationals help increase viewership and also improve the quality, increased viewership means more TV money which leads to wealthier clubs which pay better salaries. Its good for the fans, its good for the players, its good for TV, and its definately good for the clubs, this is the progress we need. It remains to be seen what the impact of foreign nationals in Zambian Club football will be. The recent acquisition of Tony Odur by Nkana, Napsa Stars new signing of Ivorian Striker Paul Semaho and Zesco United offering trials to two young Ghanaians and also a Tanzanian International has shown that clubs mean business. As we go on one cannot help but begin to realize that change is already upon us and those who are not ready will indeed be left behind.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:48:29 +0000
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