Former Zambia national team striker James Chamanga has advised the Football Association of Zambia to consider hiring a local coach and exercise due diligence before and after the process.
The 42-year-old 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winning striker believes the country has enough human resources and there is no need of hiring an expatriate coach to be in charge of the Chipolopolo boys.
“We have enough ripe material that we can settle for, what is important is to access the current crop of local coaches available and pick the right one.” He told BOLA NEWS in an exclusive interview.
Chamanga who is currently playing for Zambian Super League side Red Arrows football club further said, the national team is desperate for results after failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations three times in a row, so the earlier a local coach is hired the better for the Country because they understand Zambian players more than an expatriate coach.
“Its best to consider a local coach for now and the association should not dwell on the past glory of the coaches but should pick based on merit so that results can start coming. “
The Chipolopolo top job fell vacant after the resignation of Aljosa Asanovic over alleged contractual breaches by FAZ.
The Croatian who was appointed on the 15th of January, 2022, as Chipolopolo head coach sent his resignation letter to FAZ last sunday.
He left Zambia after winning the COSAFA 2022 Men’s Championship and bowing out of the African Nations Championship from the first round of the qualifiers on July 30th, 2022.
Former Chipolopolo coaches, Wedson Nyirenda and George Lwandamina are some of the local coaches that have so far openly expressed interest to take up the national team coaching job.
