Zambia president opposed Gordon Igesund's appointment as national team coach

18 October 2016 - 18:20 By Marc Strydom

New Highlands Park coach came desperately close to becoming the Zambia national team coach but eventually lost out on the job when Zambia president Edgar Lungu opposed his appointment. Igesund had been one of three applicants competing for the job and was believed to be a strong favourite to get it.“I went for an interview and they [the Football Association of Zambian] contacted me and told me I was going to be their coach‚" Igesund said."They asked me to take myself out of the market.”Gordon Igesund returns to Highlands Park after 47 yearsGordon Igesund is not just back in the Premier Soccer League‚ where he has had a varied‚ mostly highly successful‚ and colourful coaching career – he has also returned home to Highlands Park‚ 47 years later. But the problem was the Zambian government had to approve Igesund's salary‚ which they pay.This process was delayed by presidential elections in the country. Igesund said eventually Lungu‚ re-elected as Zambia president in September‚ decided not to sign the contract because “he wanted a local coach”.Igesund – Bafana coach from July 2012 until June 2014 – has been appointed on a one-year contract at Highlands‚ with options going forward. - TMG Digital..

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