Former head coach of Zambezi Portland FC, Nebart Phiri, has urged the Zambian Super League to hire certified physical trainers.

Phiri, a former assistant coach with the now-defunct Nakambala Football Club, stresses the need of having skilled physical trainers on staff in order to get the best outcomes.

Phiri recommends that in order to support sports, the Zambian Football Association should follow the example set by Botswana and South Africa.

“We need physical trainers who should possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical fitness education or related courses. If we compared Zambia to other countries like Botswana and South Africa, these leagues have physical trainers with advanced degrees in physical fitness training and related courses.

“In Zambia, we have had many trainers coming with 2- to 4-week programmes on physical fitness training. We know that education of coaches and their supporting staff is really taking a strain on the league.”

“Training Methods Must Be Enhanced” – Phiri.

Phiri adds that FA should work with local universities to offer academic education to Super League teams.

“Having quality education helps understand the human being as a football player and his body structure when training his or her physical fitness. The more educated the technical bench is, the better the performance of the Zambian Premier League and its lower leagues. This will in turn affect the national team,” he added.

“World Club qualification will not just come because of the good national team coach only, but club training methods must be enhanced by well-qualified staff.”

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While at Zambezi Portland FC, Phiri led the team to a second-place finish in the Provincial Division One League during the 2023/24 season.