The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed the appointment of Mexican football manager Sergio Fentanes Orozco as Technical Analyst/Advisor for the Chipolopolo AFCON 2025 assignment in Morocco.
Orozco has joined the Moses Sichone led technical bench for the AFCON period and his appointment is meant to offer targeted technical support to the technical bench.
The 54 year old was last attached to a team as assistant coach in 2018, Mexican second tier side Tampico Madero.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to confirm the appointment of Mexican football manager Sergio Fentanes Orozco as Technical Analyst/Advisor for the Chipolopolo AFCON 2025 assignment in Morocco,” reads part of the Statement from FAZ.
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande explained that Fentanes has been with the team since its arrival in Casablanca last week.
“I wish to confirm that, in our efforts to strengthen the Chipolopolo technical setup at the ongoing AFCON, we have engaged Sergio Fentanes Orozco as Technical Analyst/Advisor for the tournament in Morocco, which runs from 19th December, 2025 to 18th January 2026,” said Shepande.
Shepande clarified that the engagement does not change FAZ’s position on empowering local coaches but is intended to complement their work at the AFCON where detailed match analysis and opposition profiling are critical.
“Fentanes was selected because of his previous work with the Zambia national teams, including the Chipolopolo squads at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt and the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. He also had a role with the Zambia Under-17 technical team that qualified for the 2015 CAF Under-17 AFCON finals in Niger.”
Shepande added that Fentanes brings valuable international experience, having also worked in similar analytical roles with the national teams of Peru and Mexico, which is expected to add depth to match preparation and in-game analysis at AFCON.
He expressed confidence that Fentanes’ expertise will enhance tactical planning and performance analysis, while working with the local technical bench headed by Moses Sichone during the AFCON 2025 campaign.
The Chipolopolo started their 2025 AFCON campaign with a hard fought 1-1 draw with Mali. Patson Daka scored a late equalizer to cancel out Lassine Sinayoko’s opener and rescue a point for the Chipolopolo Boys.
Next up for the Copper Bullet is their second Group A fixture at AFCON 2025 against Comoros set for Friday.
Les Coelacantes fell 2–0 to tournament hosts Morocco in their opening match, while Chipolopolo secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mali.
Kickoff at the Stade Mohammed V, in Casablanca is set for 19:30 Central African Time.
I really don’t know how everyone sees this move by FAZ but to my side i feel this move should have been made before the tournament and not during the tournament.
Ba FAZ nabo, inferiority complex let’s learn to be satisfied with what we have.
Mid flight! Jokers