Green Buffaloes’ Fred Silwamba optimistic about next season

Zambian Super League teams are busy preparing for the new football league season. Some have left their base to intensify preparations for the upcoming season, while others have added depth and quality to their squads by the arrival of new signings. The goal is to improve the team and better their rivals in the fight for top honors.

By the looks, the 2021/22 league season will be very exciting as more teams are starting to tap into the local talent as compared to previous seasons.

This has been further fueled by FAZ’s announcement of plans for a foreign player quota, which limits Super League sides to 5 foreign players per team, with 2023 set by FAZ as the deadline for its non-complying football club members.

The likes of ZESCO United who had a good number of foreign players on their books have started releasing some of their foreign players.

Football pundits predict that teams with a good track record of recruiting local players will have developed an effective local talent ‘conveyor belt’ in time for the effect of the quota limitation system.

Additionally, teams that have already started investing resources in the recruitment of local talents will have enough time to blend the young local players identified with the more senior and experienced squad members.

One team tipped to perform better under the new regulations is Green Buffaloes, who boast an-all locally assembled squad.

The army-sponsored side is currently in Kawambwa at the 48 marine unit force for pre-season as monitored by ZamFoot Crew.

Green Buffaloes, who had earlier returned to Lusaka for a short break owing to the general elections, have since returned to their pre-season base in Luapula province.

ZamFoot Crew paid a courtesy call on the team and had a brief interview with their first-choice goalkeeper, Fred Silwamba who was promoted this month from the sergeant rank to staff sergeant.

Silwamba spoke with optimism about a good showing for Green Buffaloes in the upcoming season.

“Last season we failed to be closer to the top 4 finish and our primary target of winning the league. This coming season, we are aiming for these two and winning the ABSA Cup. That’s why we are here to work and see what we can do,” Fred Silwamba revealed to ZamFoot.

Football is a sport that relies on teamwork, with each player expected to take full responsibility for their actions and performance to help the team achieve a collective goal.

Silwamba quickly pointed out the importance of teamwork as a key ingredient for success.

“This coming season we need to work together as a team than ever before, and all departments must rise to the occasion and come to the party so we achieve big results and have something to present to the command who are our sponsors.”

Silwamba added, “we need to perform well so that we can play teams from other nations come the following season.”

“I also want to play outside FAZ Super League but again this all can only happen by team effort but hopefully one day it will come to pass”, the Green Buffaloes shot-stopper concluded.

Green Buffaloes are expected to return to their base in the capital before month end of August in time for the start of the new FAZ Super League scheduled for September.