12/08/2026
ZPL INTRODUCES SINGLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO STRENGTHEN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PLAYER PATHWAYS
The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) has introduced a Single Registration System for clubs and their feeder teams ahead of the 2026 Transition Season, in a move aimed at strengthening youth development and creating a clearer pathway for young players into senior football.
Under Memo 35 of the 2026 Transition Season, issued on 12 August 2026, ZPL clubs wishing to utilise the system must officially declare one feeder team participating in a recognised and FAZ-sanctioned league.
The new system will allow eligible players from a club’s feeder team to be promoted to the senior team at any point during the season, providing young players with an opportunity to gain senior-level experience while making it easier for clubs to integrate emerging talent.
However, the ZPL has set strict conditions. Feeder teams must belong to the same club structure and have a single common owner, while all players must be registered on the FAZ Connect system without duplicate records.
Importantly, only Zambian players born on or after 1 July 2006 will qualify under the scheme.
The regulations also introduce strict controls on player movement. A player registered under the feeder team cannot feature in more than one match within a 72-hour period across the feeder and senior teams. Furthermore, being named on the senior team's team sheet will count as having featured, whether the player enters the field or remains on the bench.
Senior-team players are also prohibited from dropping down to play for the feeder team, while players on loan are excluded from the scheme.
Clubs intending to use the system will have to submit player details, including the player's name, date of birth, FAZ ID and electronic registration card, to the ZPL Secretariat. The Secretariat will then conduct a 72-hour scrutiny process before issuing an approval letter listing players authorised to participate under the system.
The approved letter must be presented to match officials and the opposing team before every match, with clubs also required to provide hard copies at their own cost.
The ZPL has warned that failure to comply with the regulations could attract serious sanctions, including fines, points deductions or disqualification from league activities.
The introduction of the Single Registration System represents a significant step towards strengthening the connection between youth and senior football in Zambia, while giving clubs a structured mechanism to develop and promote young talent.
With the 2026 Transition Season approaching, clubs will now have to carefully assess their feeder structures and ensure they meet all the requirements before benefiting from the new system.
