Zambia National team assistant coach Moses Sichone has expressed confidence in taking up the Chipolopolo coaching role in the absence of Aljoša Asanović who according to the Football Association of Zambia has been away from duty for a month.
Sichone who was appointed assistant coach to Asanović in May this year, will be in charge of the Chipolopolo boys who are currently in Mali for two back-to-back friendly matches against that country this Friday and Monday next week.
The 1998 Zambian Super League winner believes, he has been in football long enough and gained experience with European youth clubs where coached therefore, being in charge of the Zambia national team is not new rather a good challenge.
I have taken the challenge and for me, this is not new, I know what it takes, I am just focusing on the team and not what is being said outside. I have been in football as a player and I have been working in Europe with junior teams, I know the routes with the national team, It’s a good challenge for me.
Said Sichone
The 47-year-old former Chipolopolo and FC köln defensive midfielder also said the team is shaping up well ahead of tomorrow’s friendly match against the Eagles of Mali but expressed worry that three players are unwell.
The team looks better, and I am happy that now we have the full squad despite the three players who are not feeling better. We have Patson and also Joshua, I think that’s the only worry that I have.
He added.
Sichone has in the past coached German youth clubs at Alemannia Aachen from 2015 to 2017 and Rhenania Lohn from 2018 to 2019. He was until his appointment as an assistant coach for the Chipolopolo, a head coach of the Viktoria Koln under-17 side in Germany.
The one-time Zambia national team captain also played for the Chipolopolo boys from 1998-2005 which includes three Africa Cup of Nations appearances in 1998, 2000 and 2002 and will now look to add on to his football accolades, this time as coach with his first assignment coming tomorrow against a Mali side that will seek to beat Zambia for the first time in their history.
Sichone immediately took charge of the Chipolopolo after FAZ confirmed on Wednesday morning in a statement that the coach Asanović has not yet reported for duty since Zambia’s 1-0 home loss to Mozambique on July 30, 2022, in the African Nations Championship(CHAN) qualifiers which led to the Chipolopolo boys’ early elimination from the competition in the first round.
Its been reported that the croatian gaffer is protesting over alleged unpaid dues which the FAZ has denied.
