Clifford Mulenga, former Chipolopolo midfielder has highlighted concerns over the decision by the Football Association of Zambia to expand the Zambian Super League from 18 to 20 teams, arguing that sustainability and structural reforms should take precedence over expansion.
Mulenga believes Zambia’s football challenges run deeper than the number of participating teams.
Mulenga said. “A lot of teams are struggling financially, infrastructure remains poor, governance issues persist, ownership structures are unclear, and youth development systems are almost nonexistent.”
He argued that increasing the number of clubs without addressing these structural shortcomings would only increase operational costs for already struggling teams.
“Increasing the number of teams makes the league bigger, but not necessarily better,” he said.
Mulenga said the immediate priority is to stabilize the existing 18-team structure by strengthening club licensing enforcement, improving financial compliance, investing in youth football, and upgrading stadium infrastructure.
“Expansion to weaken competition” – Mulenga.
“What Zambian football needs right now is to keep the league at 18 teams and improve professional standards. Only after stabilizing the current clubs should expansion be considered,” he said.
The 2007 CAF Footballer of the Year warned that while expansion may create more opportunities for players, coaches, and administrators, it could also weaken competitiveness and stretch limited resources.
“Expanding from 18 to 20 teams will improve inclusivity, but it will also stretch already limited finances, increase the risk of unfulfilled fixtures, and reduce operational stability,” he noted.
“A smaller, financially stable, and professionally run league is stronger than a larger league struggling to survive.”
He further called for clarity on the governance structures behind the decision, questioning the role of the Zambia Premier League in shaping strategic football policy.
“If the Zambia Premier League is the operational manager of the league, where does its strategic position stand on this expansion? Is this a ZPL-driven football decision or a FAZ administrative directive?” he asked.
