Twentieth week in Zambia 🔆🇿🇲

Week back from vacation: catching up on sleep, training, and matches – in short, soft… but not too soft, because we all know that after a vacation nothing is really “soft”! haha

Here’s a brief recap of what happened this week, between moments of relaxation, laughter with the kids at MAPSA Academy, preparations for parties and matches, and some small daily adventures.

Monday 11/08 – Soft return… or almost

The trip from Ndola to Lusaka felt “eternal,” as always when you have to spend hours on a bus after vacation. We finally get home, settle things a bit, and I dive into some much-needed sleep to recover the hours lost during the trip, especially the night before. In the evening, pizza was a must to say goodbye to tiredness, with a new friend from Zesco, the Ndola team, accompanied by music and chatter. The perfect way to slowly return to reality.

Bus station in Lusaka

Tuesday 12/08 – Training and organization

A morning full of energy: the kids’ training sessions were a mix of smiles, hugs, and “finally you’re back!” The children ran everywhere, happy to see us again. In the afternoon, I focused a bit on paperwork and had a meeting with the coach to plan the academy’s upcoming activities.

Wednesday 13/08 – Total recovery day

Today I decided to dedicate the day entirely to myself: still catching up on sleep… I could feel it… so: total relaxation and zero rush. Perfect for resetting body and mind.

Thursday 14/08 – Party and laughter

A busy and special day: morning training followed by preparations for Jo’s birthday! We organized a small party at home with some MAPSA Academy kids and Jo’s friends. Between singing, dancing, and pranks, the final cake-in-the-face was the cherry on top… literally! An alternative Independence Day full of smiles, Zambian-style.

Friday 15/08 – Training and city outing

Morning with the usual kids’ training, then a calm afternoon at home. We went on a short trip into town for two quick errands. A soft day… between markets, walks, and home.

Saturday 16/08 – Matches and sharing

A double soccer day: U19 friendlies in the morning and Zesco vs Konkola in the afternoon, ending in a draw. After the match, we brought the kids to our place for a shared snack: Hungry Lion (fast food here in Zambia), snacks, and chatter. We covered the entrance tickets to the stadium and transportation for everyone. The stadium entry for league matches here costs 20 kwacha per person (less than one euro!). The kids were super happy inside the stadium, cheering for the players, asking for jerseys, and taking photos to remember the moment.

Sunday 17/08 – Relaxation and final friendly match

Last day of the week: a calm morning, relaxing together, and preparations for a new friendly in Chipulukusu in the afternoon. Light walks, chatting, and the usual mix of fun and sport perfectly closed this week back from vacation, between laughter and a little “post-holiday effort.”

Words of the week:

• Muli kwisa = Where are you?

• Nafuma kwisa = Where are you coming from?

• Mulea kwisa = Where are you going?

A phrase everyone uses when calling. I hear them often because when we leave or arrive at the field, the kids always ask us: “Mulea kwisa?” or “Nafuma kwisa?”

Photo of the week:

Jo's party

Next week, we’ll need to resume some activities: training, meetings, and organizing new initiatives for the academy’s future. I’ll keep you updated because this will involve you directly as well!

Mart/Tina