The Football Association Zambia (FAZ) has banned foreign players from participating in all lower divisions.
FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala has stated that the association is restricting foreign players to participate in Lower Developmental Leagues for growth purposes, and to create more opportunities for local players to develop their talents.
It is a decision which was made in the lower leagues for developmental purposes, it will be hard to develop the game if you don’t give local indigenous talent an opportunity to play, he said.
Mungala added that the Association is planning to implement a rule which will impose age group limitations for players featuring in lower developmental leagues.
He added that the expectation is that more Zambians will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and in the long run help the national team selectors to identify prospective players that can perform better at national level.
Meanwhile, a local soccer fan, Jonam Mwale said he is impressed with the decision as it will safeguard the interests of the Zambian players that are currently playing their trade in not only the MTN Super League, but also in the Lower Developmental Leagues.
Certainly, a reduction in the number of foreigners in the league would increase the chances accorded to Zambian players as a whole, and besides the MTN Super League has been criticized for having ineffective youth academics, and not being conducive towards the development of young players, he said.