The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed former Chipolopolo defender and longtime assistant coach Moses Sichone as the new head coach of the Zambia national football team.
Sichone will lead an all-local technical bench made up of former national team stars, including Andrew Sinkala and Perry Mutapa as assistant coaches, Kennedy Mweene as goalkeeping coach, Noel Mwandila as strikers’ coach, and Joseph Musonda as fitness coach. FAZ says the move is aimed at preparing the team for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande said the decision to go local was deliberate, citing the wealth of experience and international exposure of the new technical team.
“FAZ considered the unique circumstances of scouting for a coach in the short term and opted to install confidence in local resources with great international exposure,” Shepande said.
“The new technical bench has vast experience from their playing days in top leagues, and their transition into coaching has been impressive and well monitored over the years.”
Sichone, who previously served as assistant to Avram Grant, now takes full charge of the national team. Sinkala, who starred for Bayern Munich, FC Köln, Augsburg, and SC Paderborn, holds a UEFA B Plus Licence and currently coaches FC Hennef in Germany.
Mutapa manages Green Eagles, while 2012 AFCON-winning goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene brings his experience from Mamelodi Sundowns, where he is the goalkeeping coach.
The new Chipolopolo bench will face its first challenge during the November FIFA international window, with friendlies against South Africa and Burundi scheduled for 15th and 18th November.