Football Session with Coach Signs

Sometimes I struggle to understand this.

I grew up in a Christian family believing that talent is a gift from God. When I played in West Africa, I rarely heard successful players being accused of using witchcraft. But back home, it is always:

“Awe uja enzo tenga kuli ba mai bake.”

“Awe uja lyonse ama yenda ku munzi.”

“Awe uja ali na nga’nga yaku Congo.”

“Awe uja anafuntisa mwana wake.”

“Awe coach shani shani ndiye amamu peleka.”

“Awe tayali yakwe.” Yawanga!’’

Why is it that we hardly ever hear, “He made it because he prays,” or “He worked hard and God blessed his talent”?

When I was playing, I never used juju, yet people would still say, “Bakukafue too much juju.” What’s wrong with us as fans? Are we trying to convince ourselves that Zambia has no talent?

Let’s stop being so negative if we want positive results.

Our national team needs more attention. Today, it feels like all we hear is “FAZ this” and “FAZ that,” instead of talking about building a stronger Zambia National Team.

Right now many players are on their off-season. This is the period when they should be kept active with camps and regular friendly matches to maintain fitness, chemistry, and discipline, instead of waiting until a few weeks before competitive games to start experimenting. National teams are built over time, not only when fixtures are around the corner.

I have friends across African football, and it hurts when people tell me that Zambia’s golden generation ended with the players we lost, and that the team rebuilt afterward, with the 2012 AFCON victory being seen as a miracle rather than the result of a long-term football vision.

We are better than that.

Let’s wake up. Change starts with all of us the fans, the players, the coaches, FAZ, the clubs, and everyone who loves Zambian football. Let’s believe in our talent, support our players, and build the future instead of tearing each other down.

Twalumba ⚽️🙏🏽

# Coach Rotation: Why Zambian Football Must Think Beyond Results

In Zambian football, we often see coaches moving from one club to another after only a few poor results. But we need to ask ourselves an important question: Can a successful football team really be built overnight?

The answer is no.

Building a strong football club takes time, patience, planning, and the right people working together. Unfortunately, many clubs believe changing the head coach is the quickest solution whenever results are poor. In reality, the problems often go much deeper than one person.

If we look across Zambian football today, only a few clubs have head coaches who have remained in their positions for more than three years. This lack of stability makes it difficult to build a football philosophy, develop young players, and create a winning culture. Constant coaching changes often mean every new coach starts from scratch, leaving clubs trapped in a cycle of rebuilding instead of progressing.

Another challenge is the role of assistant coaches. An assistant coach should not simply agree with everything the head coach says. A good assistant is an adviser...someone who can challenge ideas, offer different solutions, and help improve the team.

Sadly, many head coaches prefer assistants who know less than they do because they fear being challenged. At the same time, many knowledgeable coaches are left outside the game instead of being given opportunities to contribute.

There is also a culture where some assistants hope the head coach fails so they can take over the job. Football should not be about jealousy or personal ambition. Every member of the technical bench is paid to help the club succeed, not to wait for someone else to fail.

Even coaches without clubs sometimes spend more time criticizing others than offering practical solutions. Football needs people who build the game, not people who only point out mistakes.

Club administrators also have a responsibility. Some focus more on changing players than developing them, while others try to manage football exactly like a corporate office. Football needs professionalism, but it is still a sport. Success comes from understanding players, building a football identity, and creating the right environment.. not just following policies.

To my fellow coaches, we must also improve.

Coaching is more than teaching formations or chasing results. We must teach players **how to play football how to think, move, communicate, make good decisions, play as a team, and understand different situations in the game.

Pre-season should not be only about running until players are exhausted. Fitness is important, but pre-season is a period to prepare the team physically, technically, tactically, and mentally for the season ahead.

If we truly want Zambian football to compete with the best in Africa and the world, we must invest in coaching education, player development, teamwork, and long-term planning instead of expecting instant success.

Football is not built in one season. It is built through knowledge, patience, stability, and continuous development.

Results may win matches, but development builds champions.

Twalumba🙏🙏🙏

After watching the World Cup and other top leagues around the world, I have come to realize that many Zambian footballers are not being trained the right way. Even worse, some coaches unknowingly support mistakes instead of correcting them.

Here is the truth: 80% of Zambian footballers, including some playing abroad, still struggle to understand that football is a team game, not an individual game. Many players make passes simply because their friend is there, without properly thinking about the best option. When the pass goes wrong, coaches often say, "Lake sonny!", "Achimona!", or "Achilafwaya ukupela palya." Honestly, that is rubbish.

Football is about making good decisions. To reach the highest level, you must know what you are doing, not assume. Assumptions have caused many talented players to underperform, especially at national team level.

As coaches, we can see what is happening. There is no safety in football. Being lazy, fearful, or careless should not be encouraged. Stop teaching players that every mistake is just "hard luck." That mentality will not take us anywhere.

I remember Mr. Peter Kaumba advising me before I attended football trials. He told me, "Uko muleya takuli ati mistake balatanfya." From that day, I understood that at the highest level, mistakes are costly. I worked hard on my passing accuracy, shooting, and decision-making. That was the difference.

Perfection and attention to detail are still lacking in many Zambian players. Sometimes I wonder if players even look before they act. Some will shoot when a defender is standing directly in front of them. Do they think the ball will magically pass through?

We need to teach players the right way. Football is a game of awareness, intelligence, decision-making, and ex*****on.

Stop encouraging mistakes:
❌ "Lake sonny!"
❌ "Ideal!"
❌ "Nafuti yalaigila!"

Instead, teach players to be sure of what they are doing. At the professional level, mistakes are not celebrated; they are corrected. Excellence comes from demanding better standards every day.

If Zambia wants to compete with the best in the world, we must stop accepting average and start developing players who think, decide, and execute like professionals.
Twalumba⚽️🙏

Sometimes God will open doors when you least expect it. 🙏🏽⚽️

While I was in another country, someone recognized me because of my work on Beyond the Final Whistle. A few moments later, I received a call inviting me to speak to BIGMAN FOOTBALL CLUB about Life After Sports.

I was genuinely surprised and humbled to realize that there are people following, appreciating, and believing in this vision. This is bigger than a book—it’s about preparing athletes for life beyond the game.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this journey. Your encouragement means more than you know.

BIGMAN FOOTBALL CLUB, thank you for the opportunity. See you at the top! ⚽️📚🙌🏽

WHY ZAMBIAN CLUBS NEED TO BECOME MORE PROFESSIONAL

One of the biggest reasons football development is slow in Zambia is the lack of professionalism in player recruitment and scouting.

A scout is not just someone who looks for talent. A real scout identifies talent, monitors player growth, understands player development, and helps clubs find solutions before transfer windows open.

Many talented players are sent for "trials" at big clubs. But why should quality players always be subjected to trials? Professional clubs should already know the players they want because their scouts have been watching them consistently throughout the season.

The coach's role is simple: identify the position needed. For example, a coach may say, "I need a Number 4." The scout's responsibility is to analyze the current player, identify weaknesses, and find someone who is more skilled, energetic, and capable of improving the team.

Scouting is not about what is written in newspapers. It is about consistency, observation, analysis, and understanding the market. Clubs should know who they want months before the transfer window opens, not start chasing players at the last minute.

Too often clubs rush for signings when the window opens, only to face problems with negotiations, delayed ITCs, or failed transfers. Proper planning eliminates these issues.

This is why clubs should engage professional and private scouts who dedicate their time to identifying and monitoring talent. People like Rex Chanda jr, son of former Zambia National Team star Rex Chanda snr, who is helping shape the future of Indeni Queens, are examples of individuals contributing to player development and talent identification.

When we say Zambian football is not developing fast enough, this is exactly what we mean. Development starts within our local leagues, our club structures, and our recruitment systems.

Many laughed at Mamelodi Sundowns for having a large technical team and investing heavily in football structures. Today, they are African champions because they embraced professionalism while others were still relying on outdated methods.

Zambian football has talent. What we need now is better systems, better scouting, better planning, and a more professional approach to the game.

Let's advance. The future of Zambian football depends on it

So imwe on my trip to Mpulungu, i met this kamu Chakana, thinking he doesn’t know english, kanshi nikaku England, awe my head became big with what he was saying, because i didnt get any at all, whenever he talks i would say yes, when he repeats the statement ninshi ni no manje..lol So that i make it look like i know what he was saying awe nachi shetafye, njebele uyu pushi tanchifye 🤣🤣 now my head has grown big by answering yes and no.

Otherwise mwebantu the football season is approaching buy Jersey, Match Balls,all Sports Wear and Equipments nikwata, just inbox i will come with them from Mpulungu…..

Our shop is located in Kabwata.

My WhatsApp line is 0973606502..Twalumba

Beyond the Final Whistle started with only a few teams inviting us to share our experiences and speak to their players. Today, many of those same teams have gone on to achieve promotion to the National League and the Zambia Premier League.

This is not just about football results. It shows the power of knowledge, mentorship, and the right mindset. When people are exposed to life experiences, guidance, and wisdom, they begin to see opportunities differently and make better decisions on and off the field.

The Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Knowledge has the power to save, transform, and inspire. Through Beyond the Final Whistle, we are committed to ensuring that knowledge is shared, lessons are passed on, and lives are impacted.

The challenges we face are not only physical but also spiritual. Yet we remain confident because our Leader has already won every battle. With God above all, we continue to serve, inspire, and help build a better future for athletes and communities.

God above all. 🙏⚽️