The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken another step towards strengthening the country’s coaching structures by sponsoring former Chipolopolo interim coach Moses Sichone for a CAF A License course in Tanzania. The move forms part of FAZ’s efforts to increase the number of Zambian coaches who meet the qualification requirements for managing national teams. FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya said the association wants to ensure that local coaches are not disadvantaged as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to tighten its coaching requirements. Sichone has already started the course with support from FAZ and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF). The initiative also reflects a wider effort by the football authorities to develop local coaching talent and create a stronger pool of qualified professionals who can take charge of teams at international level.
CAF regulations require head coaches of national teams to hold a minimum of a CAF A License, making the qualification an increasingly important requirement for coaches seeking senior international appointments. Chakatazya explained that FAZ decided to sponsor Sichone because Zambia needs more coaches who meet the relevant CAF criteria. He said the association was aware of challenges the country had experienced when coaches did not meet the requirements to manage teams at international tournaments. By investing in coaching education before such challenges arise, FAZ is seeking to broaden the number of eligible Zambian coaches. The approach could also give local coaches greater opportunities to compete for national team positions when vacancies arise.
Sichone already has considerable coaching qualifications, having obtained a UEFA A License in Germany. However, FAZ says CAF’s requirements for senior national team coaches mean that a CAF A License or a UEFA Pro License is required for a coach to be designated as a head coach. This distinction makes the new training particularly relevant to Sichone despite his existing qualification. His participation in the CAF A course will add another recognised qualification to his coaching background and align his credentials more closely with the requirements governing national teams in Africa. It also demonstrates the practical challenges coaches can face when qualifications obtained in different football confederations do not automatically satisfy the specific requirements of another governing body.
Sichone’s involvement in the programme is also significant because of his previous role with the Chipolopolo. As a former interim coach of Zambia’s senior men’s national team, he already has experience of working within the national team environment. That experience, combined with further formal training, could contribute to the broader pool of local coaches available to FAZ. The decision to sponsor him therefore goes beyond obtaining another certificate and forms part of a longer-term investment in coaching development. FAZ’s stated objective is to increase the number of highly qualified Zambian coaches who can meet the standards required for international football.
The CAF A License is an important qualification within the African coaching system because it provides coaches with advanced technical and tactical training. Coaches pursuing the qualification are expected to develop their understanding of areas such as team organisation, match preparation, tactical planning, player development and technical leadership. For national team coaches, these skills are particularly important because international football gives managers limited preparation time with players who are based at different clubs and sometimes in different countries. A larger pool of coaches with recognised CAF qualifications can therefore give national associations more options when making appointments. It also provides local coaches with a clearer pathway towards senior coaching responsibilities.
FAZ has already supported other Zambian coaches through similar development programmes. The association has previously sponsored Wedson Nyirenda, who attained a CAF Pro qualification, while Ian Bakala and Masautso Tembo have been supported in obtaining CAF A Licenses. These investments show that Sichone’s course is part of a broader coaching development strategy rather than an isolated initiative. By helping several coaches progress through recognised CAF programmes, FAZ is building a group of professionals who can potentially meet the requirements for different levels of national team football. The continued development of this pool could become increasingly important as CAF applies qualification standards more closely to coaches working with national teams.
For Zambian football, the development of local coaches also has implications beyond the senior Chipolopolo. Qualified coaches can contribute to youth national teams, domestic clubs and player development programmes while gaining experience that can prepare them for higher responsibilities. A stronger coaching structure can also help create continuity within the local football system because coaches who understand the domestic environment can contribute knowledge gained from working with Zambian players. FAZ’s investment in qualifications can therefore support coaching development across several areas of the game. The long-term value will depend on how these qualifications are matched with practical coaching opportunities and continued professional development.
Chakatazya’s comments also point to the importance of planning ahead when dealing with CAF regulations. If a national association has only a small number of coaches who satisfy the required qualifications, it can face difficulties when selecting technical staff for international competitions. Expanding the qualified coaching pool gives FAZ more options and reduces its reliance on a limited number of eligible coaches. It can also help local coaches remain competitive for national team opportunities when international appointments are made. For Zambia, developing coaches who understand both CAF standards and the demands of international football could become an important part of building a sustainable technical structure.
Sichone’s CAF A License training in Tanzania therefore represents another stage in FAZ’s stated commitment to empowering Zambian coaches. His UEFA A License already provides him with an established coaching qualification, but the CAF A course addresses the specific requirements that apply to senior national teams under CAF regulations. Together with the qualifications being pursued or already attained by coaches such as Nyirenda, Bakala and Tembo, the programme contributes to a wider effort to increase the number of Zambian coaches eligible for international assignments. FAZ’s investment also signals that coaching education is being treated as an important part of the country’s football development. As Sichone continues his course, the focus will be on adding another qualified local coach to Zambia’s growing coaching pool and ensuring that more Zambian professionals are prepared for opportunities at national team level.