Numba Mumamba Poised to Lead Zambia at 2024 COSAFA Cup
Kabwe Warriors coach Numba Mumamba is set to take the reins of the Zambian national team at the 2024 COSAFA Cup, an opportunity that reflects the Football Association of Zambia’s (FAZ) commitment to promoting local coaching talent. This development comes as Zambia’s assistant coach, Moses Sichone, may be sidelined to provide more exposure to domestic coaches in international football.
Numba Mumamba’s appointment follows a period of speculation about potential candidates. Initially, Chisi Mbewe, the coach of Red Arrows, was considered the frontrunner for the position after leading his team to a league and cup double. However, Mbewe will be unavailable due to Red Arrows’ participation in the CECAFA Cup in East Africa, scheduled from June 26 to July 11.
As defending champions, Zambia aims for a third consecutive COSAFA Cup title, bolstering their position as the most successful team in the tournament’s history with one more trophy than Zimbabwe, who are returning after a ban. Mumamba will lead a squad comprising mainly local talent, signaling a strategic focus on nurturing homegrown players.
Expected call-ups include promising talents such as Kelvin Mwanza (Muza), Majapa Mumba (Green Buffaloes), David Simukonda (Zesco United), and Sekanji Siame (Konkola Blades). The squad will enter camp next Sunday to begin preparations.
The 2024 COSAFA Cup will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from June 27 to July 7. Zambia is placed in Group B, alongside Zimbabwe and Comoros. The team will look to build on their recent successes and continue their dominance in the regional competition.
Numba Mumamba’s upcoming role as Zambia’s head coach for the COSAFA Cup represents a significant step in FAZ’s strategy to develop local coaching expertise. With a blend of experienced and young players, Zambia is poised to make a strong showing in the tournament, further cementing their legacy in COSAFA Cup history.
