27/05/2026
๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ฒ โ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐโ๐ฌ ๐
๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Sheimac Soccer Academy is a rapidly growing youth football institution committed to developing disciplined, technically gifted and professionally prepared young footballers in Zambia.
Founded by Coach Enock Phiri, the academy held its first official training session on January 4, 2024, at Northlands School in the Obama area of Lusaka. Initially operating under the name Bridge Soccer Academy, the institution later underwent official registration and rebranding in the same year to become Sheimac Soccer Academy a name inspired by the initials of its co-founders, Sheila and Michael.
From its inception, the academy was created with a clear vision: to provide young players with a structured environment where talent, discipline, education and opportunity could grow together.
In August 2024, Sheimac Soccer Academy took a bold step by joining the Football Association of Zambia Zone-12 Youth Football League in the Under-19 category. Despite competing against more experienced and physically stronger sides, the academy placed its trust in youthful talent, fielding a squad largely composed of teenagers some below the age of 16.
The decision surprised many observers within the Lusaka football community. With limited experience and exposure, the team initially struggled to adapt to the intensity and competitiveness of league football. However, a crucial 2-0 home victory early in the campaign transformed the mindset within the squad. Confidence grew stronger among both the players and technical bench, setting the foundation for a determined first season.
Against expectations, Sheimac Soccer Academy successfully avoided relegation and finished 13th in its debut campaign. Beyond league position, the academy earned widespread respect after competing strongly against established youth football institutions. Traditional football powerhouses such as NAPSA Stars F.C., Kafue Celtics and Red Arrows F.C. found it difficult to overcome the academyโs energetic and fearless young side.
The 2025/26 season marked another important chapter in the academyโs development journey. With greater experience, improved confidence and stronger tactical understanding, the team showed clear progression both individually and collectively. Two academy players earned selection for provincial national team camp, further motivating the squad and reinforcing the academyโs mission of creating pathways to professional football and national team recognition.
Over the past two years, Sheimac Soccer Academy has continued connecting promising young talents to bigger clubs and development opportunities. The academyโs philosophy focuses heavily on technical excellence and football intelligence, with training sessions emphasizing ball control, passing accuracy, shooting, defensive awareness, marking and ball possession.
These fundamentals have become the backbone of the academyโs football identity.
The 2025/26 campaign delivered another positive milestone as Sheimac Soccer Academy improved from 13th position to an impressive 8th-place finish in the league standings. Although the objective was to challenge for the title, securing a place inside the top ten represented significant progress for one of Lusakaโs emerging youth football projects.
The academyโs steady rise is a clear indication of the work being done both on and off the pitch. Through proper coaching, player mentorship and consistent development structures, Sheimac Soccer Academy continues positioning itself as one of the promising grassroots football institutions in Zambia.
Looking ahead, the academy remains determined to produce highly competitive footballers capable of representing clubs and national teams both locally and internationally. With ambition, structure and commitment driving the project forward, Sheimac Soccer Academy is steadily building a future defined by excellence, opportunity and football development.
