Former Zambian striker and author Signs Chibambo, now a physical trainer at Nkwazi FC, has raised serious concerns over whether local players fully understand the contracts they sign, warning that desperation and lack of mentorship are hurting careers and the growth of Zambian football.
Chibambo, who played for Nakambala Leopards before stints in Nigeria and Egypt, said he has followed numerous reports of players terminating contracts prematurely, a trend he believes points to a deeper problem.
“I follow a lot of articles, and one thing always comes up: players terminating contracts before time. The big question is, do players actually read the contracts they sign?” Chibambo said.
He observed that many Zambian players are often so desperate to secure a club that they overlook basic professionalism.
“In Zambia, some players are more desperate for a team than anything else. A player can even play without a contract and only start fighting after signing. That is wrong,” he noted.
Reflecting on his own career, Chibambo admitted that despite his talent, he failed to understand his true value as a player, revealing that, “When I went abroad, I had mentors — my father, Mr Benedict Tembo, and Mr Ryod Mwale, the former Nakambala chairman. They insisted that I read everything before signing. But honestly, I didn’t listen.”
Driven by the desire to prove success to friends and family, Chibambo said he rushed into contracts he barely understood.
“All I wanted was to show people that I had signed. Later, reality hit me hard. I was underpaid and treated like someone coming from a place where money doesn’t matter.”
He explained that the mistreatment only became clear once he started performing.
“That’s when I began complaining and saying, ‘we are not getting enough,’ but by then the damage was done.”
Chibambo also criticized the cycle many players fall into after returning home without clubs, training with multiple teams, adding that, “The mind is no longer to play, just to show up and hope for a miracle move. This is not professionalism. This is not growth.”
He concluded by calling for stronger mentorship, as he believes, “Talent alone is not enough. Knowledge, patience and guidance matter. Football must win.”
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