James Phiri, a former Zambia national U-20 football team goalkeeper, says the quality of goalkeeping in the Zambian league has improved this season.

Mangani Banda, Phiri’s counterpart at the U-20 won the MTN-FAZ goalkeeper of the season award for the 2025-26 campaign.

Phiri, who was part of the 2017 U-20 AfCON title-winning team, said in an interview that short stoppers have improved.

“There is definitely a big improvement in goalkeeping standards. The keepers are more confident now, and you can see that many teams have invested in the department with good goalkeeper coaches,” he said.

Phiri said modern goalkeepers are expected to contribute more than just shot-stopping, with coaches demanding better communication and ball-playing ability.

“Today’s goalkeeper must be comfortable with the ball at his feet and must also organize the defense well. We are beginning to see those qualities in our league,” he said.

The former Kitwe United keeper attributed the improvement to specialized goalkeeper coaching and increased competition for places at clubs.

“In the past, clubs did not pay much attention to goalkeeper coaches, but now almost every serious team has someone dedicated to training keepers. That is helping players improve technically and mentally,” Phiri said.

“You recover possession, and the first instinct is a back pass. Sometimes you have space to turn, carry the ball forward, or release attackers quickly,” he said.

He said adventurous midfield play creates confidence within a team and gives strikers better service.

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