The Football Association has acknowledged that it does not know who will coach Zambia when the Chipolopolo boys takes on Eswatini in the final round of African Nations Championship qualifiers.

Meanwhile Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVASOFA) patron pastor Peter Makembo says the association should not consider employing an expatriate coach as the country has numerous engagements that demands the services of a local trainer.

In an interview, Thursday, Association vice president Rix Mweemba said the federation is currently weighing its options to see who should coach Zambia when the country plays against Eswatini, formerly Swaziland.

“Well we must be aware also that the coach who is in charge of the national team now, already has an assignment with his club which is also playing in the continental competitions. So obviously, he may have more allegiance to his club meaning that we will have to make some adjustments and change just to make sure for him also that he prepares. Not forgetting that we need him also in our national duties. We shall look at all the possibilities,” he said.

“We are very open to hear suggestions that come from all corners of the country. So, for now its still open, we don’t know who will lead Zambia against Eswatini, obviously we are still considering a lot of factors. And as we are saying, we want to listen to people so that what we do must be good for everybody, because we are looking at national interest first. What we have done is you know as of now we know our next opponent because we were in the dark about who we were going to meet. But knowing that now we are meeting Eswatini, meaning that we will put the team in camp, already preparations are underway, they will camp immediately.”

Meanwhile Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVASOFA) patron pastor Peter Makembo says the association should not consider employing an expatriate coach as the country has numerous engagements that demands the services of a local trainer.

“So our appeal to the FAZ executive, I know they may not make the decision now but we are just proposing. When we look at an expatriate, he will come with experiments. At the level that we are moving now, we are moving at a very high speed which will not need any experiments at all. Because if he comes with his experiments, we will bruise one another. So, the best bench which we could have now, let’s stick to our local coaches because they know who to pick, at what time and where. If you just give four local coaches against that money you are proposing, wonders will be there. And I can see wonder coming because, one they will have that in mind to say we are representing our country. Two it’s very easy to advise them because they are local. I’m telling you, they can come up with a proper squad and that is what we want. For us we will just be dancing,” said Pastor Makembo.