The vacant Chipolopolo top job has attracted interest from both local and foreign coaches as the race to be the next coach for the 2012 AFCON winners begins to hit up.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga on Monday confirmed that over 100 candidates have pushed in applications for the job.
Kamanga went on to say that the Association will not focus on the nationality of the coach but the capability of the individual to deliver.
“While the debate on whether FAZ should hire a local or foreign coach has persisted, it should be made clear that the focus should be on appointing a competent coach regardless of their nationality. We are mindful of the urgency of this matter, but we will also ensure that we are prudent in the manner we conduct this process. Transparency will be our guiding principle throughout the process.”
The committee that is expected to come up with a shortlist of candidates started deliberating yesterday with representatives from FAZ, Government and ZAFCA.
The Chipolopolo Boys top job was advertised last week with the UEFA Pro license set as the bar though the Association encouraged local coaches with National Team experience to apply.
The ZamFoot Crew now understands that a local coach is the favorite from the Government side to take over from Aljosa Asanovic.
Local coaches who fit the standard set (having National team experience) include George Lwandamina (who recently said he will not apply for the job), Wedson Nyirenda, Patrick Phiri, Aggrey Chiyangi, Honor Janza, Beston Chambeshi and Kalusha ‘Great Kalu’ Bwalya.
The seven gaffers have been in charge of the Chipolopolo Boys at one point or another. Patrick Phiri was in charge of the team between 2002 and 2003 as well as 2006 and 2008.
The Great Kalu was in charge of the team between 2003 and 2006 as a player-coach.
Honour Janza had the most success with the team as he led the Copper Bullets between 2014 and 2015. He is the last coach to qualify Zambia to an Africa Cup of Nations.
George Lwandamina was the gaffer between 2015 and 2016, Wedson Nyirenda between 2016 and 2018. He is fondly remembered for beating Algeria home and away in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Beston Chambeshi took charge in 2018 and between 2021 and 2022 before Asanovic took over.
Immediate former Green Eagles boss Aggrey Chiyangi was interim boss between 2019 and 2020.
In the meantime, Assistant coach Moses Sichone continues to sit in and will take charge when the Copper Bullets take on Israel on 17th November in an international friendly match.
Let us believe in our own coaches. It’s lo g overdue. Senegal and Nigeria have gone to world Cup with local coaches
What I can emphasis most is that our local should not dwell on regionalism. E.g. Coaches from where they played are given Priority despite poor delivery. WHY????
I agree a local coach already knows the players, the team philosophy and game type.
Some of these foreign coaches don’t even know Chipolopolo’s pedigree. They might be setting a very low bar.
I am for Wesson Nyirenda or Patrick Phiri or Great Kalu if he is able to work with Kamanga. ( that would be the best )
Wedson is the best for the job! During Kalus stint at the national team, a lot of good players were sidelined cos of jealousy by the coach and any player that fell out with him was permanently banned.
The only problem with Wada is lack of respect for authority.
To the contrary and offside!!!!!!!!!!! Kalu as a coach at national team gave chance to a good number of players who later featured for the 2012 Africa cup wining team. Abakali bakali injanji ni njanji.