Clifford Mulenga Calls for Better Coach Education in Youth Football Selection Debate

Former Zambia international winger Clifford Mulenga has joined the ongoing debate surrounding player selection for the Under-17 national team, stressing the importance of quality coaching and facilities at the grassroots level.

Posting on his official Facebook page, Mulenga argued that the challenges facing the junior national sides stem largely from the inadequate preparation young players receive at their academies.

Mulenga, who previously served as Youth Football Development Officer at the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), said many talented youngsters arrive at the national team lacking basic football skills.

“You cannot expect the national team coach, who is preparing a team for a tournament, to start teaching players how to control, pass, or receive a ball,” he wrote. “Lusaka academies are investing heavily in coaches and facilities, even poaching talent from across the country. So it’s normal that several players will come from one well-established academy—it’s the same in major footballing nations.”

The former winger proposed that FAZ provincial offices partner with local academies to improve facilities and coach education. He further suggested replacing the FAZ E coaching course with an elite youth coaching program, starting with a CAF D license.

Former South Africa Under-20 coach Thabo Senong supported Mulenga’s view.

“Excellent points, Clifford, fully agreed. Fantastic. Coach education is key. Good coaches develop good players. No youth, no future.”

Mulenga’s comments have sparked further discussion among football stakeholders on how to balance nationwide representation with ensuring that only the most prepared and technically capable players are selected for national duty.