By Gabriel Nkunika
Zesco United’s Coaching Vacancy: The Perfect Opportunity for Perry Mutapa?
Since parting ways with George Lwandamina, Zesco United has yet to appoint a permanent head coach. While Emmanuel Siwale has performed admirably well as interim manager, the club needs a long-term leader with experience and tactical expertise to reclaim dominance in the Zambian Super League and reestablish itself among Africa’s elite teams.
One name that stands out is Perry Mutapa—a coach widely regarded as one of Zambia’s best tacticians. His ability to analyze opponents and adjust his team’s strategy accordingly sets him apart.
However, while Mutapa is a strong candidate, Zesco must approach his potential appointment strategically—particularly in how recruitment decisions are managed.
Zesco United’s Ambition: A Return to Africa’s Elite
Zesco United is not just another Zambian club—it is a team with a rich history in continental football. In 2016, Zesco reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. During that campaign, ZESCO proved they could compete with Africa’s biggest teams, defeating giants such as Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca.
Since then, however, the club has struggled to maintain that level of performance on the continental stage. The appointment of the right coach is crucial if Zesco United is to reclaim its status among Africa’s elite and return to the CAF Champions League semi-finals or beyond.This is where Perry Mutapa comes in.
While he has not yet managed at that level, he has shown the tactical intelligence required to succeed. With the right support, he could guide Zesco back to the top of Zambian and African football.
Why Perry Mutapa Is the Right Coach for Zesco United
Mutapa has a proven track record in Zambian football, having managed clubs such as Forest Rangers, Napsa Stars, and Power Dynamos. Despite his tactical brilliance, he is yet to win the Super League title—a fact that must have been difficult to watch as Mwenya Chipepo lifted the trophy with Power Dynamos, a team Mutapa had previously coached during a challenging period.
His best achievement so far has been winning the ABSA Cup with Napsa Stars, but the Zambian Super League remains the ultimate prize. If there’s a club that can provide him with the platform to achieve this, it’s Zesco United.
The Challenge: Ensuring Player Recruitment is Based on Quality
One area that has raised discussions in Zambian football is the recurring pattern of certain player signings at clubs where Mutapa has managed. While there is no evidence of wrongdoing, it highlights a broader issue in football—the influence of player agents in recruitment and signing of players as a way to help them because of either an emotional attachment or some other reason.
For Zesco United to succeed under Mutapa, it is crucial that the club ensures all signings are based on merit, performance, and the team’s needs and not anything else.
Global Examples of Agent Influence in Football
The relationship between coaches and player agents is not unique to Zambia. There have been several high-profile cases in international football where agent influence impacted recruitment decisions—sometimes to the detriment of clubs.
Jorge Mendes and Chelsea’s 2015 Season
One of the most well-known examples involves Jorge Mendes, one of the world’s most influential agents, and his close relationship with José Mourinho.
In 2015, when Mourinho was Chelsea manager, the club signed Radamel Falcao on loan despite his poor form at Manchester United the previous season. Many analysts believed this move was influenced by Mendes, who was both Mourinho’s and Falcao’s agent, rather than being based on footballing merit. The transfer ultimately failed, and Mourinho was sacked later that season.
This case illustrates how agent-coach relationships can sometimes lead to questionable recruitment decisions, even at the highest level.
Jorge Mendes and Valencia’s Transfers (2014-2016)
A similar scenario played out at Valencia, where businessman Peter Lim worked closely with Jorge Mendes following his takeover of the club. This resulted in a wave of Mendes-associated players and coaches joining Valencia.
While some of these signings succeeded, others struggled, leading to a lack of squad balance and instability. The overreliance on Mendes’ recommendations eventually harmed the club’s long-term plans, and Valencia had to rebuild after a period of underperformance.
These examples show how agent influence can shape the fortunes of clubs, making it essential for teams to ensure recruitment decisions are made in the best interest of the team.
What Zesco United Must Do to Ensure Success Under Mutapa
If Zesco United appoints Perry Mutapa, the club should take steps to maximize his strengths while ensuring recruitment remains a well-structured process. To achieve success, Zesco must prioritize player quality and performance in recruitment decisions, ensuring that every signing contributes meaningfully to the team’s objectives.
Additionally, the club should implement a transparent scouting system to prevent potential conflicts of interest and guarantee that new acquisitions are based purely on merit. Balancing youth development with experienced signings will also be crucial in maintaining squad depth and ensuring long-term competitiveness. Furthermore, all transfers must align with Zesco’s broader football strategy, reinforcing the club’s ambitions both in domestic competitions and on the continental stage.
Conclusion: This Could Be Mutapa’s Moment
Perry Mutapa has the tactical intelligence and coaching ability to make Zesco United a title-winning team again. However, to succeed, both he and the club must ensure that player recruitment is based purely on quality and team needs.
Beyond domestic success, Zesco United must set its sights on returning to the CAF Champions League’s latter stages. With a tactically astute coach like Mutapa and a well-managed squad, the club could once again be a force in African football—just like in 2016, when they reached the semi-finals.
This could be the moment Mutapa finally wins the Super League title—but only if he is given the right environment to thrive. ZESCO United has an opportunity to make a bold appointment, and if they get it right, it could mark the start of a dominant new era in Zambian and African football.
