2017 U-20 AFCON winning coach Beston Chambeshi has been named Chipolopolo boss in the interim following the departure of Serbian gaffer Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed the development in a press statement made available to the ZamFoot Crew.
Chambeshi will be assisted by ZESCO United boss Numba Mumamba and they will be reinforced by former Croatia national team assistant coach, Aljosa Asanovic. The new technical bench has been handed three months.
“Following the mutual separation between the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Mr. Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, the executive committee met on 24th July 2021 to chart the way forward. Considering the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September-November, and the lengthy recruitment process, it would not be possible to employ a substantive national coach.
In view of the short time before the commencement of the World Cup qualifiers, FAZ has announced a reconstituted interim technical bench for the Senior Men’s Football National Team to be headed by Mr. Beston Chambeshi who will be assisted by Numba Mumamba. In addition, the executive committee appointed Croatian Aljosa Asanovic as Technical Advisor as part of the technical bench. The reconstituted bench will be in charge for three months.”
FAZ says it has faith in the duo given their track record at the junior level with Chambeshi having had a successful stint at U-20 and Numba at U-17.
“FAZ has confidence in both Mr Chambeshi and Mumamba on account of their previous performances with various national teams.
Mr. Chambeshi was head coach of the under-20 side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and guided Zambia to the 2017 Under-20 FIFA World Cup where they reached a historic quarterfinal place. Mr. Mumamba led Zambia to the first-ever Cosafa under-17 title in 2017 and has also been head coach of the under-20 national team. He has also previously served as an assistant coach at the senior national team.FAZ is grateful to Nkana and Zesco United for allowing the duo to serve club and country as coaches for a short-term period.”
The inclusion of Mr. Asanovic is to ensure that there are no gaps in the performance of the national teams. The 55-year-old Asanovic served as assistant coach of the Croatia Football National Team from 2006-2012 under Slaven Bilic. He also served as an assistant coach for Lokomotiv Moscow among other club designations. In his playing career, he starred for Italian giants Napoli and Panathinaikos in Greece.
“FAZ wishes to thank the Croatian Football Association for allowing Mr. Asanovic to take up this appointment, away from his role at the Association where he serves as an instructor in the technical directorate in Croatia.
FAZ is focused on ensuring that we enter the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a solid technical bench.”
The Chipolopolo boys will start with a date away in Mauritania between 1st and 4th September. Chipolopolo will then host Group B favorites and perennial World Cup campaigners in Tunisia.
Clues less FAZ FA President…Let Zambian councilors appoint another FA President..Thisn one no serious oh
Luck of seriousness and luck foresight . This faz has just become useless. Bowman was very right about kamanga and his executive . Chambeshi who even fails to read games. Napapa sana
This is a very disappointing decision by FAZ headed by a football clueless Mr Kamanga.
Like he’s name amanga bola uyu
Wedson offered himself up, why was he left out?🙆
Why not give him the job n build a chambeshi, mumba technical bench around him as FAZ seem to want them!😲
Does FAZ care about us fans opinions? 😞
@ Chineke the councillors constituted the technical team! How do you suggest they appoint a new Faz president cos of a decision they made?! The std of the local league is worrying, hence a noticeable drop in Chipolopolo perfomance. The vast sums being spent on recruiting sub standard foreign players should instead be channelled torwards employing quality club coaches. Jeff Butler single handedly revolutionised coaching standards all over the copperbelt!
Numba and chambeshi they are the two coaches who can build a team for future. Wada wada is not familiar with young stars.
Just hope things get better. Losing to teams like Lesotho should not happen.