By Franklyn M Malambo
Normally, I do these pieces midweek but the matter at hand has forced my hand to pick the pen early. Also, today’s date carries another significance as I will share later in this write up.
The decision by the Football Association of Zambia council to expand the Super League from 18 to 20 teams raises serious technical and structural concerns but before I get into it, allow me to congratulate Red Arrows for winning the ABSA Cup. Given their efforts on the day, it was thoroughly deserved.
For a developing football ecosystem like Zambia’s, growth should first be measured through quality, competitiveness, infrastructure, player development, and commercial value not simply by increasing participation at elite level.
In fact, from my lenses, an argument to move from 18 to 16 would have been even better – Morocco, Belgium, South Africa have 16 and Korea has 12 – all these are developing leagues with proper quality.
From a technical perspective, league expansion risks diluting playing quality. Zambia already faces challenges in producing enough high-level players, coaches, sports scientists, analysts, and administrators to sustain an 18-team professional environment. Expanding to 20 further stretches limited elite resources and lowers overall match intensity.
Additionally, the decision also raises concerns around league positioning and brand value. Expanding the topflight before strengthening club licensing, infrastructure compliance, financial sustainability, and broadcast quality risks weakening the league’s overall product. In modern football, elite leagues grow through stronger standards and commercial credibility, not simply through increasing the number of participating clubs.
Operationally, more fixtures mean increased travel demands, fixture congestion, player fatigue, and higher financial strain on clubs already operating with limited budgets and infrastructure. Without corresponding growth in sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, stadium standards, and youth development structures, expansion becomes administrative rather than strategic growth.
Top leagues globally succeed because they concentrate quality, not because they accommodate more participants. In many cases, reducing league size improves technical level, commercial appeal, player development, and fan engagement – France reduced from 20 to 18.
Mass participation is important but primarily within grassroots and youth football. The role of the top division should be to protect performance standards and create a high-performance environment capable of producing clubs and players that can compete continentally.
The truth is, Zambian football does not currently need a bigger league. It needs a stronger one – quality over quantity.
I look forward to your thoughts on this matter. Until next time, have a great week.
