Big money moves, attractive wages and going the distance in continental football. The Zambian Super League is attracting a lot of talent from across the borders.
Players and Managers from all over Africa and as far as Europe and South America are flocking to Zambia to pursue their careers in what is one of the fastest growing Leagues on the continent.
THE CONGO CONNECTION
In the past, the list of foreign based players was dominated by the Congolese legion as far back as the early 1980s and late 90s. This was mainly due to the proximity of the two countries.
One prominent foreign player who played in the Zambian league was Mathews Papa Kamwashi. He featured for Kabwe Warriors and Zanaco FC between 1997 & 1999. Kamwashi was called at some point to play for Zambia in an international friendly against South Africa.
He was also called to the Under 23 National team in 1999 but dropped after picking up an ankle injury. Kamwashi was tipped to be the future of Zambian football but we know how that went.
He escaped across the boarder with a Zambian Passport only to pledge his allegiance to the DR Congo.
Then came John Lomani the Rwandan who played for Power Dynamos between 2003 and 2005.
Lomani’s nationality was put to the test when he was faced with a decision to choose between the DR Congo and Rwanda. He chose Rwanda and went on to represent the Amavubi at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
These and a few of the foreign imports that have graced the Zambian Super League in the past.
Even today the Zambian league has been known for being a breeding ground for players from the DR Congo.
The most recent player to make a mark on the ZSL is Nkana striker Walter Bwalya who emerged as last season’s top scorer with more than 20 goals for aba RED.
Walter is believed to have roots from the DR Congo but his last name ‘Bwalya’ has invoked many fans to suggest that he is Zambian.
Anyway, that is a topic for another day.
Marcel Kalonda and Idris Mbombo are other players from DR Congo who within last season left a mark on Bola yapa Zed.
BUYING POWER
This year, the Zambian football transfer market has seen an unprecedented spending power with Lusaka Dynamos roping in high profile signings like Anthony Abawula (Nigeria), Ugandan International Joseph Ochaya from Kampala City Council Authority, Ghanaian International Lee Addy and Brazilian midfielder Paulo Leomar.
New boys Buildicon FC have a huge foreign contingent in their squad which include Isaac Isinde, Nigerian Philip Osamudiamen Idehen and Narcisse Ekanga from Equatorial Guinea.
Buildicon have further gone ahead to engage a Spanish coach Jadrane Chazouani one of the European imports, the other being Serbian, Zlat Krmpotic of Zesco United.
Kabwe Warriors have also secured for the upcoming season, midfielder Cletus Ebuka from Nigeria, strikers George Quarshie from Ghana and Keyembe Mukyambi from Dr Congo.
CAF COMPETITIONS
Last season, we saw Zesco United catch the attention of Africa with their performance in the CAF Champions League, falling at the Semi Final stage to eventual winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
In that Zesco team, was a core of foreign players like Anthony Akumu (Kenya) Jesse Were (Kenya), David Owino (Kenya) and Ben Adama (Niger), all of them formed part of a well oiled squad that went on to dominate many teams they faced in the continental showpiece.
Team ya Ziko lost the title to Zanaco Football Club last season, the Bankers also had Ghanaian Star Kwame Attrame in the title winning squad.
Zanaco have continued where Zesco left off by qualifying to the group stages of the CAF Champions League after seeing off the much fancied Young Africans of Tanzania.
Zesco United themselves are doing fine in CAF Confederations Cup and have been drawn with Enugu Rangers in the next round.
2017 SEASON
The Zambian Super League is expected to kick off in April following the release of the Charity Shield fixtures by the Football Association of Zambia.
The Semi Finals take place in Kitwe at Arthur Davies Stadium on Wednesday 29 March with the Final set for Lusaka at the Heroes Stadium on 1 April 2017.
The usual suspects, Zanaco, Zesco United, Nkana, Power Dynamos and Green Buffaloes are expected to be the main contendors for the title.
You feel however, that other teams like Red Arrows, Kabwe Warriors, Buildicon will also throw their hat in the mix for the trophy.
And if the delegates at the FAZ General Assembly to be held on 26 March 2017 approve a 20 team league, we could see Lusaka Dynamos and Nakambala Leopards restored back to the Super League after they were demoted last season.
The influx of foreign personnel into the Zambian Super League over the last 2 seasons is massive and might just turn Bola yapa Zed into the most competitive league in Africa.
