The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has sponsored former Chipolopolo interim coach Moses Sichone to undertake a CAF A Licence coaching course in Tanzania.
FAZ says the initiative is part of its efforts to increase the number of qualified Zambian coaches eligible to take charge of national teams.
FAZ general secretary Charles Chakatazya said the association was responding to tighter coaching requirements at international level, with the aim of ensuring Zambian coaches are not disadvantaged by the regulations.
“As FAZ, we have decided to sponsor coach Moses Sichone for a CAF A course in Tanzania as part of widening the pool of local coaches eligible to handle national teams,” Chakatazya said.
Sichone has already started the course, which is being conducted with the support of FAZ and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).
“It is the desire of FAZ to increase the pool of highly qualified coaches,” Chakatazya added.
Sichone, who previously served as interim Chipolopolo coach, holds a UEFA A Licence obtained in Germany. FAZ says the qualification does not meet the CAF requirement for a coach to be designated as head coach of a senior national team, unless it is a UEFA Pro Licence or another qualification recognised as equivalent by CAF.
FAZ said Zambia has faced challenges in the past when coaches did not meet the required CAF criteria to lead national teams at international tournaments.
The association has previously supported other Zambian coaches through advanced coaching education, including Wedson Nyirenda, who obtained a CAF Pro Licence, and Ian Bakala and Masautso Tembo, who obtained CAF A Licences.
The move forms part of FAZ’s wider programme to develop and increase the pool of locally qualified coaches available for national-team assignments.
CAF’s coaching and club-licensing framework requires coaches to meet the applicable qualification requirements for their roles and competitions.
