Mutapa, who guided Napsa Stars to a fifth-place finish in the 2022/23 Super League has disclosed the gaffers deserving of the coach of the year award.

The former Zambia National Team midfielder has named FC MUZA head coach Lameck Banda and Mwenya Chipepo of Power Dynamos as the top two contenders for the accolade following their impressive performances of their respective teams.

The 2022 ABSA Cup winning coach says Banda has proven to be the best coach for the just-ended season having guided the team to second position in the Super League.

“I think that accolade should go to the MUZA coach [Banda],” Mutapa said.“Coming from Division One, qualifying for continental football and playing the final [ABSA cup].”

Mutapa disclosed that Chipepo is also in contention for the award for guiding Power Dynamos to a first league title since 2011.

Mutapa backs Banda to win it

He however stated that the Elegant Dynamos coach is a frontrunner as he also qualified the team to the final of the Absa Cup.

“In contention obviously should be Mwenya Chipepo, Power Dynamos after a long time winning the League,” he said, “So I think those two are the ones that should get the accolade.”

“But I think for MUZA, coming from Division One finishing number two, qualifying for continental football and playing the final, it is not easy,” he added.

Power Dynamos emerged champions of the 2022/23 Super League and will play in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League while FC MUZA were the surprise package as they finished second.

MUZA will make their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

The Mazabuka-based side also made it to the ABSA Cup final for the first as they finished in a record second place.

Banda’s side lost four times at Nakambala Stadium and managed 7 wins on the road.