Lameck Banda, Mufulira Wanderers head coach, has cautioned football players against participating in social football activities during the off-season.

According to Banda, the off-season is a period to recover and rest from a long season.

“The off-season is not a period for engaging in unstructured social football activities that serve no professional purpose. Such activities pose unnecessary risks to your career and may constitute a breach of your contractual obligations with the club,” Banda said in a Facebook post.

“This period should instead be utilized productively by attending to personal projects, recovery programs, individual training plans” he said.

Banda acknowledged that social football is popular among supporters but warned that many informal matches lack basic safety measures such as qualified medical personnel, insurance coverage, and proper professional oversight.

“Poorly organized matches without proper medical support, insurance coverage, or professional oversight expose players to significant injury risks,” he said.

He warned that a single injury sustained during such matches could have serious consequences for both the player and the club.

“A single injury sustained in such circumstances can negatively affect your career, your livelihood, and the interests of your club,” Banda warned.

“The off-season exists for a reason: to help players recover from the demands of a long and competitive season. Continuous involvement in social matches and tournaments can lead to accumulated fatigue, reduced performance levels, increased injury risk, and diminished motivation when the new season begins.”

He encouraged the players to maintain professionalism even when competitions have ended.

“Be professional. Make responsible decisions. Protect your health, respect your contractual obligations, and safeguard your career,” Banda said.

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