Zambia’s falling football standards require overhaul

Dear Editor,

THE Zambia national soccer team fondly known as the Senior Chipolopolo Boys conquered Africa by winning the Africa Cup on February 12, 2012 in Gabon.

This follows Zambia's edging of the star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 on post-match penalties. Stopila Sunzu was the hero of the day for scoring the winning goal for Zambia.

The football standards of our senior national team have been plummeting since winning the coveted trophy, the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON cup).

The poor state of Zambia's football standards has made many soccer pundits wonder whether Zambia's winning of the 2012 AfCON was a fluke or it was achieved through hard work. However, this is a topic for another day.

The dwindling football standards of our senior national team can be attested by our country's failure to qualify for the 2017 and 2019

AfCON football tournament.

As though this s not bad enough, Zambia's chances of qualifying for the 2021 Cameroon AfCON are in doubt as the team have a paltry three points and are bottom-placed in the group which comprises Algeria, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Zambia have to play Algeria at home and Zimbabwe in an away fixture to wrap up the qualifying matches. If Zambia under the tutelage of Milutin Sredojevic win the two remaining games, the country can qualify for the 2021 Cameroon AfCON football tournament.

The panacea for the fallen football standards is to strengthen the local premier league by making it competitive, selecting players on merit and recruitment of the coach with a traceable track record. There is also need for the corporate world to come on board to sponsor football in the country.

ELEMIYA PHIRI, Lusaka.