Foreign players alert

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 06:21:05 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

THERE is need to introduce a policy that will restrict the number of foreign players each Zambian club registers at a particular time or else we will continue developing other nations, says national team coach Wedson Nyirenda.

Nyirenda said the influx of foreign players into Zambia was detrimental to the development of Zambian football as it ‘‘closes spaces for local talent’’.

Speaking in an interview after the national team’s training session at Lusaka’s Sunset Stadium for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier set for July in a fixture against Swaziland over two legs, the coach acknowledged that foreign players were needed to spice the game but not to take over all the slots available to local lads.

“The influx of foreign players is an issue that should be handled with a lot of care because if we do not put our foot down, I think we will be riding a bicycle without a chain. We will be busy paddling but not moving.

“We need to introduce a policy where each club can be given a certain number of players to register and a particular number of players to feature at a certain time. As things are, we are developing other nation’s talent and it also closes spaces for our locals,” he said.

Nyirenda said that he will write to the FAZ executive committee over the matter.

“We don’t want to be like the mighty England who performs at club level but can’t have a good game at national team level. They fail to win the Euro or World Cup. Our main aim is to build a strong Chipolopolo and the league is the backbone, hence the need to implement such a policy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nyirenda expressed worry with the Chipolopolo frontline, saying the technical bench will work harder to ensure the strikers were sharp before the CHAN qualifier game against Swaziland.

He said it was an issue that could not be sorted out overnight but called on the clubs to mould the players before coming to the national team.

The head coach has called Red Arrows striker Stanley Nshimbi to the CHAN provisional squad in camp.

“I have called Nshimbi to the squad owing to his performance during the Arrows game against Zanaco. I am not sitting idle but going round the country to look for new players. All the players called to camp have reported and trained this morning,” he sad

Meanwhile, Nyirenda said he was saddened by some Under-20 players’ haste to sign for European clubs even when advised to wait till after the South Korea World Cup which kicks off next month.

“It is a sad development because both the player and the nation will regret. The biggest concern is where are our players going? Are they going to a performing club or one that is static?

‘‘Everyone has the hope that they are the next senior team but if they go to non-performing clubs, then we are doomed as a nation. The players should have waited till after the World Cup and make the choice because there will be good offers then,” he said.

Under-20 midfielder Enock Mwepu made headlines last week for allegedly sneaking out of the country to attend trials in Austria without the blessing of his club Napsa Stars.

FULL CHAN SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS:

Allan Chibwe (Power Dynamos), Kelvin Malunga (Nkana), Racha Kola (Zanaco)

DEFENDERS:

Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), George Chilufya, Ziyo Tembo, Taonga Bwembya (Zanaco), Given Sinyangwe, Donashano Malama (both Nkana), Mumbi Mweene, Adrian Chama (both Green Buffaloes), Isaac Siamujompa (Nchanga Rangers)

MIDFIELDERS:

Fwayo Tembo, Kelvin Mubanga (both Power Dynamos), Richard Kasonde, Augustine Mulenga (both Zanaco), Clatous Chama (Lusaka Dynamos), Austin Banda (Napsa Stars), Eddie Sinyangwe, Hilary Bwalya (both Lumwana Radiants), Jacob Ngulube (Nkana)

STRIKERS:

Ronald Kampamba (Nkana), Mwila Phiri (Green Eagles), Justin Shonga (Nkwazi), Green Lwitika (Green Eagles), Chitiya Mususu (Napsa Stars), Stanley Nshimbi (Red Arrows)