|By Franklyn M Malambo
Over the weekend, I watched a Division One derby between Young Kansanshi United and Young Lumwana. Good intensity, competitive edge — and a reminder of a reality we often overlook in player development:
Talent is not the problem. Pathways are.
Three players stood out, but one in particular caught my attention.
Operating at the base of midfield, he delivered a performance that suggested a profile beyond his current level.
Physically, he is well-built, tall, and mobile, with the engine to sustain performance.
Technically and tactically, he showed excellent positional discipline, consistently screening and recovering possession. His use of the ball was outstanding — a full passing range with just one misplaced pass across 90 minutes. He maintained structure, occupied the right spaces, and communicated effectively.
Mentally, while one game is not definitive, his response after his team went behind suggested focus and resilience.
This is one of those rare cases where 90 minutes gives enough clarity. He is playing above his level – but not yet ready for immediate Super League integration.
From a Technical Director perspective, this is how a structured pathway would look and clearly so:
• Integrate him into first-team training and let him even play internal test matches even as he continues to play D1 on weekends.
• Secure his long-term future on say a 4 years long contract
• Then send him on a 12–18 month loan to the National League for consistent high-level exposure.
• Managed well, he returns as a significantly developed asset – effectively a “new signing” without the external recruitment risk.
At 18–19, his upside is significant. Interesting, he got the Man of the match award. Thoroughly deserved from my lens.
There are many players like this in feeder teams. The real question is whether we are deliberate enough to bridge the gap — because without structure, potential doesn’t just stall, it gets lost.
Where do you think the disconnect is?
