Zambia coaches join ranks of FIFA-qualified Coach Educators

Four Zambian coaches have joined the ranks of FIFA-qualified Coach Educators in Africa after successfully completing the FIFA Coach Educator Diploma in Kigali, Rwanda.

The quartet includes former FAZ Technical Director Lyson Zulu, Chris Chibuye, Philip Munkombwe, and Franklin Malambo. Zulu, Chibuye, Munkombwe and Malambo graduated following the FIFA Coach Educators On-Site Assessment Practice held in Rwanda.

Participants underwent rigorous assessment

The program brought together 38 Coach Educators (instructors) from 13 CAF Member Associations. The participants underwent rigorous assessment in coaching course facilitation, covering both theory presentations and practical demonstrations.

The assessments were conducted in two cohorts: from 23–27 February and from 2–6 March.

The instructors had spent the past three to five years undergoing training through the FIFA Coach Educator Pathway. The program included e-learning, online classes, on-site education, and mentoring.

During the final assessment in Kigali, participants were evaluated across several competencies that define the role of a Coach Educator. These included leadership, management, technical knowledge, teaching, mentoring, and assessment.

Successful candidates were awarded the FIFA Coach Educator Diploma, adding to the growing pool of qualified Coach Educators across Africa.

Super Eagles ex-coach Eguavoen also attended

Zambia’s four representatives have been part of the pathway program for the past three to five years and their successful completion further strengthens the country’s capacity to train and develop coaches at various levels of the game.

Other participants in the program included former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen, as well as Godwin Fuludu Edema from Nigeria. Ghana was represented by Evans Augustine Adotey and Nana Kweku Agyemang, while Zimbabwe had Joseph Sibindi, Tafadzwa Mashiri, and Wilson Mutekede.

Kenya’s representatives included Salim Ali and Beldine Odemba, while Ethiopia was represented by Abraham Gebreslase. Other participants came from across the continent, including Peter Lado (South Sudan), Estifanos Asefaw (Eritrea), Daniel Ramsamy (Mauritius), Sothene Habimana (Rwanda), Jackson Semanyi (Uganda), Lamin Sambollisambou (Gambia), and Mohamed Lamin Kamara (Sierra Leone), among others.

The FIFA experts team overseeing the program was led by Giovanni Fernandes, FIFA Coaching Development Senior Manager. He was supported by Keneilwe Matibela, Coaching Development Delivery Manager, and technical experts Frans Mokashoa, John Kaputa, and Zunaid Mall.

Zambia Coaches Join Ranks of FIFA-Qualified Coach Educators

Zambia has recorded an important milestone in football development after four local coaches successfully joined the ranks of FIFA-qualified Coach Educators in Africa. The achievement highlights the country’s growing commitment to improving coaching standards and strengthening football education.

The four Zambian coaches—Lyson Zulu, Chris Chibuye, Philip Munkombwe, and Franklin Malambo—earned their FIFA Coach Educator Diploma after completing the final stage of the FIFA Coach Educator Pathway Program in Kigali, Rwanda.

Their certification followed the FIFA Coach Educators On-Site Assessment Practice, a rigorous evaluation process designed to ensure that candidates meet the highest international standards required to train and mentor football coaches.

The successful completion of the program represents a significant boost for Zambia’s football development system, as the newly qualified educators will now play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of coaches across the country.

Participants underwent rigorous assessment

The training program brought together 38 Coach Educators from 13 CAF Member Associations, reflecting FIFA’s continued effort to strengthen coaching education across Africa.

During the final phase in Kigali, the participants underwent extensive evaluations covering several important aspects of coach education. These assessments included both theoretical presentations and practical coaching demonstrations, testing the participants’ ability to effectively deliver coaching courses.

The assessments were conducted in two separate groups. The first group completed their evaluations between 23 and 27 February, while the second group was assessed from 2 to 6 March.

Candidates were required to demonstrate their knowledge and leadership in several key areas that define the role of a coach educator. These competencies included technical knowledge, leadership skills, teaching methods, mentoring ability, management capabilities, and performance assessment techniques.

Successfully meeting these standards earned the participants the prestigious FIFA Coach Educator Diploma, allowing them to officially join the growing network of certified coach educators across Africa.

Zambia strengthens coaching development

The success of the four Zambian coaches is particularly significant for Zambia’s football development structure. The newly certified educators have spent between three and five years progressing through the FIFA Coach Educator Pathway Program.

The program is designed to provide comprehensive training for individuals who are responsible for educating and mentoring football coaches at different levels of the game.

Throughout the program, the participants engaged in multiple forms of learning, including e-learning modules, online courses, in-person training sessions, and long-term mentoring by FIFA experts.

By completing the pathway, the four Zambian coaches have strengthened the country’s ability to train local coaches, improve grassroots football development, and raise the overall quality of coaching within Zambia.

Their qualification is expected to play an important role in the development of football across Zambia, particularly in helping the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) expand its coaching education programs.

Notable African football figures attended

The FIFA Coach Educator program also featured participation from several well-known football personalities across Africa.

Among the participants was former Nigeria national team coach Augustine Eguavoen, who joined other experienced football figures from across the continent in the program.

Nigeria was also represented by Godwin Fuludu Edema, while Ghana sent Evans Augustine Adotey and Nana Kweku Agyemang.

Zimbabwe’s delegation included Joseph Sibindi, Tafadzwa Mashiri, and Wilson Mutekede, while Kenya was represented by Salim Ali and Beldine Odemba.

Other participants came from across the African continent, including Abraham Gebreslase (Ethiopia), Peter Lado (South Sudan), Estifanos Asefaw (Eritrea), Daniel Ramsamy (Mauritius), Sothene Habimana (Rwanda), Jackson Semanyi (Uganda), Lamin Sambollisambou (Gambia), and Mohamed Lamin Kamara (Sierra Leone).

The diversity of participants reflects FIFA’s commitment to building a strong network of coach educators who can contribute to football development throughout Africa.

FIFA experts supervised the program

The program was overseen by a team of FIFA technical experts led by Giovanni Fernandes, FIFA’s Senior Manager for Coaching Development.

He was supported by Keneilwe Matibela, Coaching Development Delivery Manager, alongside technical experts Frans Mokashoa, John Kaputa, and Zunaid Mall.

Their role was to guide the participants throughout the program and ensure that all candidates met FIFA’s international coaching education standards.

With the graduation of the four coaches, Zambia has further strengthened its position in African football development, providing the country with more qualified professionals capable of educating and mentoring the next generation of football coaches.

The achievement is expected to positively impact coaching standards in Zambia and contribute to the long-term growth of football in the country.