The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced last week that they had completed the process of selecting the next Zambia National Team coach to replace Aljosa Asanovic, who resigned two months ago, and had held a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Sports regarding the new coach.

Elvis Nkandu, who is Zambia’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Arts, stated that government intends to increase its financial contribution to the new Chipolopolo coach’s salary from the previous $10,000.

Speaking during a press briefing yesterday in Lusaka, Nkandu said that the amount government was contributing was too little; hence, they saw the need of increasing the financial allocation in order to attract a quality coach.

“Our ministry has requested that the ministry of finance reconsider how much the government contributes to the coach’s payment and increase the allocation,” he said.  

“The increased salary as of January 2023 is aimed at attracting quality coaches. Zambia currently is unable to attract quality coaches due to the low salary that is being offered, as compared to what most coaches are getting on the market.”

Currently, the Ministry of Sports contributes $ 10 000, while the other $ 15 000 is sourced by FAZ, which in turn comes to $ 25 000 as the monthly salary for the Chipolopolo coach.

Government admission that the current Chipolopolo coach’s monthly salary is too low is likely to help FAZ settle for a high-quality coach.

The new Chipolopolo coach will be unveiled once the Ministry of Finance finalizes the proposal from the Ministry of Sports, according to NKandu.