ZESCO UNITED INTRODUCES FOREIGN PLAYER QUOTA

MICHAEL MIYOBA writes @SunZambian ZESCO United Football Club Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Richard Mulenga says the club has embarked on a trajectory to limit the number of foreign players at the club to 5. This is according to a statement issued by club media officer Desmond Katongo. The club CEO disclosed that new club policies stipulates that Zesco United Football Club shall recruit a maximum number of 5 foreign players. “I wish to inform our strategic stakeholders, especially Zesco United fans that we are mandated by the ZESCO United Football Club board to reduce the number of foreign players to 5 by the end of 2021. This process has already started as part of preparations for us to reach this target.” The Club CEO further explained that a plan has already been set in motion to ensure that there is sufficient and effective cover for the players who will be leaving the club. Last week, barely two days after issuing a farewell message to Sensational Zanaco Football Club, goal keeper Toaster Nsabata has joined Ndola giants Zesco United FC. Kenyan international defender David Owino Odhiambo and midfielder Enock Sabumukama have already left the club. Earlier, Zesco United confirmed that the 30-year-old former Chipolopolo goal keeper who was at Nchanga Rangers before joining Zanaco FC in 2015 had signed a three-year deal which will keep him at Zesco until January 2023. “The former Chipolopolo shot stopper becomes the first player to join the eight-times league giants since the opening of the January transfer window,” confirmed Zesco United on their official website. “Nsabata will be expected to bring competition between the sticks when the shot stopper links up with his former coach Numba Mumamba.” Nsabata who lost his number one spot at Zanaco to Racha Kola joins midfielder Kelvin Kampamba and Bruce Musakanya who were bought from Nkana and Red Arrows respectively. Zesco United Football Club Chief Executive Officer Richard Mulenga said earlier that the new club policies stipulates that the club shall recruit a maximum number of five foreign players. “I wish to inform our strategic stakeholders, especially Zesco United fans that we are mandated by the Zesco United Football Club board to reduce the number of foreign players to five by the end of 2021. This process has already started as part of preparations for us to reach this target,” Mulenga said. “It remains our mission to bring the best players to Zesco United Football Club. This change in policies will also give our home-grown players an opportunity to play for the biggest club in the land and a rare platform to shine at both local and international level.”