CHISI MBEWE TAKES CHARGE OF ZAMBIA U23
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed Chisi Mbewe as head coach of the Zambia Under-23 Men’s National Team ahead of the Egypt 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mbewe, who is currently head coach of Super League side Red Arrows, will be assisted by Numba Mumamba as First Assistant Coach and George Chilufya as Second Assistant Coach. Kalililo Kakonje has been appointed Goalkeeper Coach.
FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya says the appointment follows a rigorous selection process aimed at identifying some of the country’s best local coaching talent.
Mbewe brings considerable youth-team experience, having previously worked with Zambia’s Under-15 and Under-20 national teams. He also guided the Under-20 side to qualification for the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
“The appointments have been made after a rigorous exercise that saw FAZ pick some of the best local coaching talents,” Chakatazya said.
“He will be assisted by an equally competent ensemble of local coaches that we have tasked to firstly qualify to the U23 AFCON and subsequently the Olympics in 2028.”
OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION THE BIGGER TARGET
While the immediate objective is qualification for the 2027 U23 AFCON in Egypt, FAZ has set its sights on a bigger prize — qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Zambia will enter the U23 AFCON qualifying campaign at the second round, where they will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso.
The first leg is scheduled for 9 November 2026, with the return leg set for eight days later.
FULL ZAMBIA U23 TECHNICAL BENCH
- Chisi Mbewe — Head Coach
- Numba Mumamba — First Assistant Coach
- George Chilufya — Second Assistant Coach
- Kalililo Kakonje — Goalkeeper Coach
- Chintu Kampamba — Physical Coach
- Luka Kaunda — Video Analyst
- Mumba Mwila — Team Manager
- Ndaba Sipuke — Team Doctor
- Nimrod Musongwa — Physiotherapist
- Given Singuluma — Equipment Manager
- Nchimunya Mwila — Security Manager
The appointment gives Mbewe another opportunity to work with Zambia’s emerging generation of players, having already gained experience within the country’s youth national-team structures.
Zambia’s last U23 AFCON qualification came in 2019, when Beston Chambeshi led the team to Egypt, although the side exited in the first round.
Mbewe’s first task will therefore be to restore Zambia’s presence at the continental U23 tournament before turning attention to the ultimate target — Olympic qualification in 2028.
