The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced the appointment of current Nchanga Rangers FC coach George Lwandamina as the new interim Zambia National Team head coach, taking over from Moses Sichone, who was relieved of his duties following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Lwandamina, who returns to the national team for the third time as interim coach, having previously been at the helm in 2010 and 2016, will be assisted by Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa.
FAZ Acting Deputy General Secretary Iva Lengwe said in a statement issued on Thursday that the changes are aimed at enhancing efficiency and strengthening the team’s performance.
“Only the positions of head coach and first assistant have been affected by these changes. The rest of the technical bench remains unchanged and will continue carrying out their respective responsibilities,” Lengwe said.
Assistant coach Perry Mutapa has also been removed from the technical bench.
Lwandamina’s immediate assignment will be to lead the national team at the Four-Nation Tournament scheduled to take place in Francistown, Botswana, from March 23 to 31, 2026.
The tournament will involve Malawi, Zimbabwe, and host Botswana.
Lwandamina’s third Chipolopolo stint
Lwandamina will also be looking to help the team qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after Zambia failed to qualify for the 2017 edition under his leadership. The Chipolopolo finished third in a group with Guinea-Bissau, Congo, and Kenya.
When Herve Renard quit the Zambian job for the first time in 2010, Lwandamina took over the team as interim coach in an unsuccessful two-match stint.
After Honour Janza was fired in May 2015, five days before a 2017 qualifier against Guinea-Bissau, Lwandamina was named Zambia coach. Though he started with a disappointing 0–0 draw, he was given a vote of confidence by then FAZ boss Kalusha Bwalya after securing an away win in Kenya and qualifying Zambia for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
At the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda, Zambia topped their group but were eliminated at the quarter-final stage after losing to Guinea on penalties.
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