Decision on new Zambia coach finalised but candidates yet to be informed on final verdict

20 September 2016 - 17:39 By Marc Strydom

Zambia have decided who will coach their national team‚ but cannot make an announcement yet on which one of their three foreign candidates‚ including former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund‚ that is.The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) have made their decision‚ said their general secretary Ponga Liwewe.But FAZ cannot make an announcement until Zambia’s government‚ who fund the national team‚ complete the formality of approving the new coach’s salary.“We had a coach selection process. We had three coaches who came – Raoul Savoy‚ a Swiss resident‚ Frenchman Sebastien Desabre and Gordon Igesund from South Africa.“The technical committee did that selection and the choice was unanimous. We selected a candidate.“And then from there‚ because of the fact that the Zambian national team’s activities‚ including coaching salaries‚ are paid out of the ministry of sport‚ we took the recommendation to the ministry.“At this stage because we’ve had quite a lot of activity with the presidential elections held recently [August 11] and the inauguration a week ago of the new president [Edgar Lungu on September 13]‚ approval of that has not been finalised.“But that decision was made quite a while ago.”Zambia stalls Gordon Igesund's appointment as national team coachGordon Igesund is still waiting to hear back from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) over the vacant head coach role with the senior national team. George Lwandamina‚ the coach of Zesco United who are currently meeting Mamelodi Sundowns in a two-legged Caf Champions League semifinal‚ was relieved of his dual duty as national coach by FAZ last week.This was after Zambia failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Wedson Nyirenda is the interim national coach and will become Chipolopolo’s assistant coach after the new head coach has been announced. - TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.