‘Quota system not to blame’ 

…Chimpampwe says as ZPL tips clubs to develop strong youth policies

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

THE Zambia Premier League (ZPL) says the newly introduced player quota system is not to blame for the poor performance of Zambian clubs in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup respectively.

And ZPL Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Chimpampwe said there is need for clubs to develop strong youth policies which promote the development of Zambian players.

Over the weekend, Zambia’s envoys in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup Power Dynamos and FC Muza were eliminated in the second preliminary stages by clubs from Tanzania and Congo Brazzaville respectively.

While some stakeholders feel that the player quota system had an impact on the Power Dynamos and Muza who were eliminated by Simba Sports Club and Diables Noirs respectively, Chimpampwe said the player quota system which compels clubs in Zambia to register only five players has not yet been in effect.

Chimpapmwe said the system which was approved by the FAZ Council will only come into effect this year.

“The quota system is only coming into effect this season 2023/2024. I don’t know where people got the information that the quota system was in effect. This is a decision that was taken to the FAZ Council and was ratified,” Chimpampwe said.

He said that the solution for Zambian clubs to start doing well in continental club action lies in clubs focusing on developing young talent.

Chimpampwe said that in the past Zambian clubs never used to depend on foreign players to perform well in the continental championships.

“The solution in the long term lies in having a strong youth policy. As ZPL we have already come up with an elite youth programme which we have tabulated. 

“Under the club licensing, under the sporting pillar, it already stipulates the need to have a strong youth programme because when you go back where we are coming from as a footballing nation, we never used to depend on foreign players,” Chimpampwe said.

“Yes, foreign players were there but when you look at Nkana reaching the final, and getting a silver, Power Dynamos have been to the finals twice, over 90 percent of the players were locals so if we have done it before I think that’s the route we need to take. And we will have a deliberate policy to just encourage youth development to get the elite youth,” he said. 

Chimpampwe also encouraged teams to emulate Athletico Lusaka and Kafue Celtics, the two clubs with very good scouting systems.

“If the youths such as Changa Chaiwa, Kings Mutandwa, Richard Ngoma and Peter Chikola can go to play competitive football even beyond our league, it’s a sign that there will be no need to cry about the quota system we would encourage having our own,” Chimpampwe said.