Sichone is Chipolopolo coach

By BENEDICT TEMBO

THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed Moses Sichone as new Zambia coach, tasked with leading Chipolopolo to next month’s African Cup soccer tournament in Morocco.
Sichone will be assisted by his contemporaries from his playing days Andrew Sinkala, who until now was based in Germany and former international Perry Mutapa who is in charge of Green Eagles Football Club.
Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kennedy Mweene will be the goalkeeper coach while Noel Mwandila becomes the strikers’ coach.
Chipolopolo legend Joseph Musonda will be the fitness coach.
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande made the announcement in Lusaka last night and said the ensemble will be in charge of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations assignment.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is excited to announce the new chapter of the Chipolopolo which sees the youthful and dynamic quartet of Moses Sichone, Andrew Sinkala, Perry Mutapa and Kennedy Mweene appointed in charge of the Chipolopolo project,” Shepande said
“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.
The combined assemblage of our new technical bench has enough experience from their playing days in top leagues.
Collectively their transitioning to coaching after their playing days has been admirable and has been under our watch over the years.”
Sichone was a long-time assistant coach to Avram Grant while Sinkala, who once starred for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, FC Koln, Augsburg and SC Paderbon among others transitioned to coaching in Germany after hanging his boots.
Sinkala and Mutapa famously played together at the 1999 Under-20 FIFA World Cup under coach Patrick Phiri and were elevated to the senior squad after their exploits at the tournament.
Sinkala holds a UEFA B Plus Licence, which is a new level in the coaching certification and his current coaching job is at FC Hennef and previously coached at TFC Cologne.
Mweene is goalkeeper coach at Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.

Their first assignment will be the November 15 and 18 FIFA window international friendlies which will see Zambia play South Africa and Burundi respectively.
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