Zambian Premier League (ZPL) National League side Atletico Lusaka Football Club has called for open trials to recruit new players into the team.
The team has seen a significant number of players leave over the past few seasons, with several already departing during the current transfer window and others being linked with moves away.
This comes after players showcased their abilities during last season’s ZPL campaign, before the team was relegated just a season into the top flight league.
Despite mixed reactions from fans across the country regarding the upcoming open trials, Promopulse Marketing and Sports Agency founder Bernard Chama has defended the move, calling it the quickest way to assemble a competitive squad ahead of the fast approaching 2025/26 season.
“Even though they could promote players from their under-18 team, it’s not good enough at this point,” Chama said.
He added that the club lacks the resources and network strength to bring in recommended players through conventional means.
“The team is working within its available resources,” Chama noted, describing the open trials as a strategic move.
Meanwhile, sports expert Puncherelo Chama has welcomed the club’s decision.
He pointed out that player scouting from other academies would be more costly for both the Zambian football system and the club itself.
“It’s a difficult process for players who are already attached to other teams,” Puncherelo explained.“
The club has gone for the safest route in identifying football talent.”
Atletico Lusaka is in a rebuilding phase, following the departure of several players over the past two years.
“Some of the players are over 21 years old, so the club is trying to create space for new talent,” Chama said.