Chisi Mbewe named Zambia U23 coach with Olympics qualification in sight

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed Chisi Mbewe as head coach of the Zambia Under-23 men's national team, with qualification for the 2027 Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics set as key targets.

Mbewe, who is head coach of Super League side Red Arrows, will lead the U23 team as Zambia begins preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Egypt.

He will be assisted by Numba Mumamba as first assistant coach, George Chilufya as second assistant and Kalililo Kakonje as goalkeeper coach.

The technical bench also includes former Zambia international Chintu Kampamba as physical coach, while Mumba Mwila has been appointed team manager.

Ndaba Sipuke will serve as team doctor, Nimrod Musongwa as physiotherapist and Luka Kaunda as video analyst. Given Singuluma, Zambia's 2009 CHAN Golden Boot winner, joins the technical team as equipment manager, with Nchimunya Mwila appointed security manager.

FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya said the appointments followed a selection process aimed at identifying strong local coaching talent.

Mbewe has previously worked within Zambia's youth national team structures, including as an Under-15 and Under-20 coach. He also guided the Under-20 team that qualified for the 2023 Africa Under-20 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 said the immediate priority would be qualification for the U23 AFCON, followed by an attempt to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Zambia will enter the U23 AFCON qualifying competition at the second-round stage and will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso.

The first leg is scheduled for November 9, with the return leg set for eight days later.

Zambia last qualified for the U23 AFCON in 2019, when the team, coached by Beston Chambeshi, exited in the first round.

Mbewe and his technical team now face the task of ending that wait while building a squad capable of competing for Olympic qualification.