Zambia waits for government’s assent to announce new coach

• Mbesuma leads deadly squad against Nigeria
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it would not announce which of its three foreign candidates will become the Chipolopolo’s next manager until the country’s government, who will pay the chosen one, gives the go ahead to hire the coach.

FAZ Secretary General, Ponga Liwewe, told Zambia media that the federation has chosen its preferred manager, but has not informed any of the candidates its decision.

Zambia will host Nigeria in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on October 9 with a caretaker manager leading the team.“We had a coach selection process. We had three coaches who came – Raoul Savoy‚ a Swiss resident‚ Frenchman Sebastien Desabre and Gordon Igesund from South Africa.

“The technical committee did that selection and the choice was unanimous. We selected a candidate. And then from there‚ because of the fact that the Zambian national team’s activities‚ including coaching salaries‚ are paid out of the ministry of sport‚ we took the recommendation to the ministry.

“At this stage because we’ve had quite a lot of activity with the presidential elections held recently [August 11] and the inauguration a week ago of the new president [Edgar Lungu on September 13]‚ approval of that has not been finalised. But that decision was made quite a while ago.”
Last week, former Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa striker, Wedson Nyirenda, recently took over from Zesco United Coach, George Lwandamina‚ as national team coach.

This was after Zambia failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.Nyirenda has started his tenure as assistant coach by naming a 33-man team, led by enfant terrible of Zambian football, Colins Mbesuma, in the squad for the Chipolopolo’s first Russia 2018 Group B qualifier against the Super Eagles on October 9.

Also in the squad are Rainford Kalaba, Kennedy Mweene and Stoppila Sunzu. The other foreign-based call-ups Chisamba Lungu (Ural/Russia), Lewis Macha (Kaizer Chiefs/South Africa), as well as Nathan Sinkala, Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe/DRC) and Kalengo Winstone (AC Leopards/DRC). ß

The bulk of the squad is drawn from the domestic league with seven players from CAF Champions League semi-finalists, Zesco United.
The full squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Kennedy Mwene (Mamelodi Sundowns/South Africa), Rocha Kola (Zanaco).
DEFENDERS: Lawrence Chungu  (Power Dynamos), Fackson Kapumbu (Zanaco), Simon Silwimba (Zesco United), Adrian Chama (Green Buffaloes), Kabaso Chongo (T.P Mazembe/DRC), Ziyo Tembo (Zanaco), George Chilufya (Zanaco), Stoppila Sunzu (Lille/France), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), Malama Donashano (Nkana).
MIDFIELDERS: Charles Zulu (Zanaco), Fwayo Tembo  (Power Dynamos), Kalaba Rainford  (T.P Mazembe/DRC), Chota Chama Clatous, John Chin’gandu  (Zesco United), Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Misheck Chaila  (Zesco United), Richard Kasonde  (Zanaco), Nathan Sinkala  (T.P Mazembe/DRC), Rodrick Kabwe  (Zanaco), Sautu Spencer  (Green Eagles), Mwape Mwelwa  (Zesco United), Chisamba Lungu  (Ural/Russia).
STRIKERS: Justin Shonga  (Nkwazi), Jackson Mwanza  (Zesco United), Kalengo Winstone  (AC Leopards/DRC), Lewis Macha  (Kaizer Chiefs/South Africa), Patson Daka  (Power Dynamos), Collins Mbesuma  (Highlands Park/South Africa).