Bola Yapa Zed | 6th November 2025
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially unveiled Moses Sichone as the new head coach of the Zambia national football team, the Chipolopolo, marking the start of a fresh era led by a dynamic group of former internationals. The announcement was made on 5th November 2025 at Football House in Lusaka.
Sichone, a former Chipolopolo defender and long-serving assistant coach under Avram Grant, now steps into the top role to lead Zambia into the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. His appointment signals FAZ’s renewed trust in homegrown talent, with a strong technical team composed entirely of Zambian legends.
The new bench includes Andrew Sinkala and Perry Mutapa as assistant coaches, Kennedy Mweene as goalkeeper coach, Noel Mwandila as strikers’ coach, and Joseph Musonda as fitness coach. The five bring a wealth of experience both as players and as coaches, having featured prominently for club and country over the years.
FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande described the appointments as a progressive move aimed at empowering local coaches.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is excited to announce the new chapter of the Chipolopolo which sees the youthful and dynamic quartet of Moses Sichone, Andrew Sinkala, Perry Mutapa, and Kennedy Mweene appointed in charge of the Chipolopolo project,” said Shepande.
He added that FAZ’s decision to look inward stemmed from the unique challenge of finding an international coach within a short timeframe.
“FAZ considered the unique circumstances of scouting for a coach in the short term and opted to install confidence in local resources with great international exposure,” Shepande continued. “The combined assemblage of our new technical bench has enough experience from their playing days in top leagues.”
A Team of Proven Professionals
Sichone’s long association with the national team and his experience as Grant’s assistant make him a natural successor. Sinkala, a former Bundesliga star who played for Bayern Munich, FC Köln, and Augsburg, has transitioned into coaching in Germany, holding a UEFA B Plus Licence and currently managing FC Hennef.
Perry Mutapa, who is also the current Green Eagles head coach, brings extensive domestic coaching experience, while Kennedy Mweene, Zambia’s AFCON 2012 winning goalkeeper, continues to serve as goalkeeper coach at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Noel Mwandila, who takes up the role of strikers’ coach, and Joseph Musonda, now fitness coach, round off a technical team that combines youthful energy with deep football knowledge.
Upcoming Fixtures
The new technical bench’s first test will come during the FIFA international window later this month, when Zambia face South Africa and Burundi on 15 and 18 November respectively. These matches will provide Sichone and his assistants with a valuable opportunity to assess the squad ahead of AFCON 2025 preparations.
Conclusion:
The appointment of Moses Sichone and his all-Zambian technical team marks a bold step forward for the Chipolopolo. FAZ’s commitment to empowering former players with international experience reflects a strategic shift toward sustainable local development. Fans across the nation will be eager to see how this legendary lineup performs as Zambia begins its road to Morocco 2025.
