IT is becoming embarrassing in this modern day and age to continue witnessing clubs employ superstitious tactics to win a game.
And away from the embarrassing aspect, it is annoying that these same clubs that practice these witchcraft tendencies even want to involve God in their foolishness.
There is need for clubs to realise that superstitious practices displayed so openly can cause a serious riot and violence from supporters and other members of the public.
There have been many reported cases in the MTN Super League where certain clubs do not want to be the first team to enter the pitch or want to be the last to leave the pitch.
In some other instances, home teams would want to be the first to reach the stadium before their opponent and ensure the gates are locked to prevent the former from gaining access.
And there is a growing belief that if a bus enters a certain stadium in reverse, then they would win. And the problem has been that certain teams have gotten away with it and other teams take it is true.
Also,some teams opt not to use certain dressing rooms whenever they are playing away in fear of the home side putting something in the room.
Some players are even told not to greet the opponent before the game starts, and many other funny superstitions that they believe in.
And all these things are happening in a league that wants to be professional but teams behaving like amateur teams, maybe the amateur ones behave even better.
It is funny that these same players and officials believing in these superstitions again even go in the middle of the pitch and even pray, and one wonders who they are mocking.
Professionalism of the league needs to be upheld if our football is to improve, and it is the many fans believe that the many engagements the Football Association of Zambia has been having with the Zambia Premier League teams could help this situation but nothing.
Because how does one explain players playing in a Super League match climbing a wall fence just to have access inside the stadium?
This is not right and whosoever advised them to do so is wrong because the best if to remain in the bus and file an inappropriate complaint with the match commissioner and FAZ with all evidence provided.
Even in cases of protest, I feel there is a better way of doing that than the lot of the technical bench and players attacking a referee.
There have instances where some defence forces teàms resort to meeting out punishments on their opponents and forgetting that their training does not allow them to do so.
And it is sad that the policemen and women who are placed to provided law and order at these games always fail to do so, especially when the game involves their side due to rank issues.
Yes, points are crucial at this stage, but professionalism needs to be shown in the way things are done.
Imagine if the Copper Queens players and technical bench had decided to storm the pitch and attack that Cameroonian referee for that penalty she awarded Morocco at Levy, by now the team would have been banned with the Olympic ticket gone.
So a lot needs to be done by our clubs to make the stadium a peaceful place where a family can go and watch a game, unlike finding themselves in the middle of fights between the players and officials.
How do these clubs think they can attract sponsorship with such behaviours? Who would be proud to be associated with clubs exhibiting ancient behaviour.
Another irritating behaviour is that of clubs instructing ball boys to delay whenever a home team takes a lead is one other thorny issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
Hope one day we shall the level of professionalism required or a Super League team and avoid these embarrassing episodes.
How do you broadcast such content on television? It is embarrassing and needs to stop, and FAZ should crack its whip.
In Zambia, we have the Witchcraft Act enacted under the Laws of Zambia, which prohibits such practices to protect society.
These clubs still practising such misdeeds should face the full wrath of FAZ as they chose to disobey the well established applicable rules when they know fully well that such practices were banned.
Hope we shall have a wonderful sporting weekend without superstitions taking centre stage again, and remember to interact via email on eliaschipepo@gmail.com