The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed former Chipolopolo international Perry Mutapa as head coach of the Zambia Under-20 men’s national team ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament.
Mutapa, who is currently head coach of MTN Super League side Green Eagles, takes over from Boyd Mulwanda following Zambia’s participation at the 2025 Under-20 AFCON finals in Egypt. The appointment is part of a major overhaul of the team’s technical bench as FAZ seeks to restore the country’s status among Africa’s leading youth football nations.
The former Zambia international will be assisted by Sipho Mumbi as first assistant coach, Lameck Banda as second assistant coach and Masautso Tembo as strikers’ coach. Mike Songwe Siame has been retained as goalkeeper coach, while Donashano Malama will serve as physical coach and Zani William Phiri as video analyst.
FAZ has also brought former Chipolopolo defender Emmanuel Mbola into the setup as equipment manager, with 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner James Chamanga appointed team ambassador.
FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya said the newly constituted technical bench has been tasked with securing qualification for both the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
“In an effort to regenerate the focus for our Under-20 boys’ national team, we have decided to appoint a new bench to align with the assignments coming ahead,” Chakatazya said.
“We have our focus on the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations zonal qualifier which will take place in Mauritius from 18-27 September.”
He added that the association expected the new coaching staff to revive a youth programme that has struggled to replicate the achievements of Zambia’s celebrated 2017 generation.
“We have tasked the new bench to qualify the team to the AFCON and subsequently to the FIFA World Cup. Our Under-20 project has been on the wane since the 2017 side that won the AFCON and reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea.”
Chakatazya believes the inclusion of several former Zambia internationals will provide valuable experience and inspiration for the next generation of players.
“The team assembled is bringing four former Chipolopolo stars whose experience we expect to spur the young lads to victory,” he said.
Mutapa’s first assignment will be the AFCON zonal qualifying tournament in Mauritius, scheduled for 18-27 September, where Zambia will be aiming to secure a place at the continental finals.
