Former midfielder Sidney Kalume has advised active players to maintain discipline and adhere to coach instructions in order to succeed and prolong their playing days.

Kalume, a league winner with Zanaco Football Club and Zesco United, also featured for Napsa Stars and Nkana Football Club, where he also won silverware in the Absa Cup tournament.

He now coaches Lusaka-based Young Makeni All Stars, whom he guided to promotion to the FAZ Lusaka Provincial Division One qualification for the 2026/27 transitional league.

In an interview, Kalume attributed his longevity to discipline and a positive lifestyle.

“Money affects some players” – Kalume.

“I played for 24 and a half years, and it was due to being humble. I was humble enough to learn from the senior players and the coaches,” he said.

“The biggest problem nowadays is that there is a lot of money in football, so it sometimes affects the players; they fail to remain humble.

Once that happens, it affects them in the long run, which we see of them; it only lasts two to three seasons. In order to play for a long time, discipline and hard work must be embraced.”

Kalume also reveals that he is inculcating the same values of hard work and discipline in the team.

“It is an honor to lead a young team such as Young Makeni All Stars. I’m trying to use my experience as an example to the upcoming footballers at the club. Up to this day, I don’t drink, nor do I smoke, as I see myself as a role model for the next generation,” Kalume said.

“I tell my players to remain disciplined, and it starts from home. The other thing is hard work. We can train together, but if the players don’t do more, there are chances of succeeding, maybe limited; hence, I also encourage individual training.”

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