Coach Apetito

10 years later, and here we are.

Tryson Banda of Kabwe Warriors and Emmanuel Mwanza of Zesco United two boys who once trained together one in under 10 and one under 12, group's now meeting as professionals in different jerseys, representing different cities.

It’s good to see that the work, the commitment, and all those education talks were not wasted.
This is what grassroots football is about. 👏

The Dark Side of Football: Why Many Young Players Go Missing

This one touched me deeply. It hurts to see how this young man’s career is going.

Early last month, I received a call from Chate Vincent. To me, this was one of those important "1-on-1" calls.

In my mind, I thought: “This boy must be playing internationally by now.” Because I remember 2018/2019 Vincent was a rising star. One of the most promising upcoming center backs. He even represented the Junior National Teams.The last time I saw him, he was with City of Lusaka. From there, I assumed his career had taken off.

But the reality is painful.

Vincent suffered a serious injury... and was abandoned by his contracted club. He received no support not from the coaches, not from his fellow players, not from anyone.

He had to borrow money and depend on well-wishers. He used every coin he had to pay for knee surgery on his own. Not even the Football Association checked on him.

Last season, Vini tried to make a comeback. He pushed through the pain and played a few games for Makeni All Stars in Division. But the pain is still there.

This made me sad.

We urgently need player welfare structures and institutions that protect and educate young players about their contract rights.Too many young players are being used and taken advantage of by clubs, managers, and agents.They will do everything for you when you are performing. But the moment you get injured... they disappear.

Players deserve people who will not only use them, but care for them even after football or when injury cuts their career short.

Right now, Vincent is looking for a good lawyer who can represent him. Despite his financial challenges, he just wants to get what he is owed according to his contract.

Let’s do better. Football must protect its own. 🇿🇲

Football, I really loved you.

I believed in you. I believed you could change lives.I started this journey with so many friends. Most of them stopped. I kept going.

Through the hardest moments, I moved forward. Stories like Pauline Zulu’s kept me going a girl from a one-roomed house with siblings and an elder brother, who went on to build a house for her parents. Stories like that gave me joy and purpose.

People told me for years: “This football needs a strong heart. It’s frustrating. People will use you.” I looked past those stories and told myself, “Mine will be different.” I judged those who gave up so easily.

But now... I feel their pain. I understand why they stopped.

The truth is, you can give your entire life in service to people on this earth. You can die in poverty, just trying to keep your kids safe, waiting on you to provide. You can give up everything to do good. And yet the world often rewards the bad, while those who give their all are left with nothing.

I’ve helped players who went on to gain wealth, while I stayed the same.Year in, year out.

My greatest fear right now is becoming like those coaches I used to know the ones who gave everything for development, gained nothing, lost hope, and opened a katemba just to feed their families.

Truth is, I’m really hurting right now. But I also know this: I am stronger than this moment.

The journey continues. 🇿🇲

This is not about Nora or the technical bench.
It’s about what we have given her and what we are all convinced of.

We signed and hyped up these players as big names and international players. We put a lot of pressure on them.
So much so that even if you were in her position, you would also follow what’s on paper.

That’s why she is scared to try others. Because if she drops the big names and we lose, we will be the first ones to blame her.

But it’s high time she starts making those crucial decisions.
If some players are not performing, they need to sit on the bench. Name doesn’t matter. Form and quality must come first.

Have gone to church ine 🙏 maybe it will go away this anger 😠 😡

It hurts 😞 can't even sleep

Our biggest challenge in Zambian football, both men and women, is knowing when to transition.

Imativuta it’s difficult to move on. Some players are now at an age where changing their mentality is like trying to bend iron. And I’m saying this with respect because I’ve watched Zambian women’s football grow.

The players we still rely on today were the best we had back then. At that time, they looked good because that’s what we had. But our football has grown.

Today, Zambia has a lot of talented young women. Players like Eneless Phiri and Saliyah Mwanza have good technique, education, and game understanding. But we are afraid to transition to them.

We’re still holding on to players who have served the nation well and done a lot for us. Truth be told, bakula aba.
What we need now are fresh brains, more interesting football, and quality skill.

I’ve watched players like Faith the Under-17 wigner back and Zangose under 20 national team play with joy and freedom, not like they’re under pressure. Yes, maturity matters, but quality also matters.

We need to start scouting and watching players on merit, not just picking who is already there. Eneless is a player fans have watched and recommended. If we can find her, there are many more good players down there who can perform differently.

Today’s game was a football education. It showed that our players are lacking in some areas of the modern game.

Let’s build for the future while still honoring the past.