Atletico Lusaka technical director Miguel Martinez believes that natural and physical abilities are sometimes overrated and that players must also improve their football IQ.

Martinez said that Zambia is blessed with abundant talent but there is a need to place more emphasis on the tactical aspect of the game because football has changed.

“I always disagree [when you say there is no talent in Zambia]. There is talent and that is why we have started going around the country to tap this talent,” Martinez said when he was featured on Flava FM’s Football Show on Wednesday.

“I am always telling couches [that] football is becoming more tactical; we have to prepare…. The players must understand the game; otherwise, without understanding, you cannot go far.”

Martinez said sometimes people in football are guilty of overrating natural physical abilities over other aspects of the game.

“We are quite behind in terms of the quality of the training” he added. “Natural and physical abilities these days are overrated, as a player, you need to be able to understand football and make a good decision, that’s what makes a player top.”