Lwandamina: Zambia FA questioned on choice of coach

Zambia’s veteran administrator Patrick Tembo has come out to question the decision by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to re-hire the services of George Lwandamina as new Chipolopolo coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement issued on Thursday, FAZ acting Deputy General Secretary Iva Lengwe confirmed the return of Lwandamina to lead the national team and further said changes were aimed at enhancing efficiency and strengthening the team’s performance.

FAZ has made changes to the Chipolopolo technical bench appointing veteran trainer George Lwandamina as new Chipolopolo coach.

Lwandamina will be assisted by Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa jr.

FAZ has excused Moses Sichone and Perry Mutapa from their roles. pic.twitter.com/Nl7h2cfc5M

— #Mr-Zambian-Football (@Mubajnr) March 5, 2026

Lengwe said Lwandamina will take over in an interim capacity and will be assisted by Power Dynamos coach Oswald Mutapa jr. The appointment of Lwandamina came after FAZ had opted to excuse Moses Sichone in the aftermath of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Why are we hiring another interim coach

“It shows that we had no plan for who would take over from Avram Grant. Not that Lwandamina is a bad coach, but why are we hiring another interim coach?” said Tembo as quoted by Bola News.

“We need to be thinking ahead. We are wasting time with interim coaches. When will we hire a coach who can sit down and plan for future tournaments?”

Lwandamina to lead Zambia in Botswana

Lwandamina previously served as Chipolopolo coach from 2015 to 2016 before paving way for Wedson Nyirenda. He is currently serving as Nchanga Rangers coach.

FAZ further excused Perry Mutapa from his assistant role at the Chipolopolo after having been part of the AFCON technical bench.

Lwandamina’s immediate assignment will be to lead the national team to the Four-Nation Tournament scheduled to take place in Francistown, Botswana, from March 23 to 31, 2026.

The return of George Lwandamina to the Chipolopolo technical bench has generated mixed reactions among Zambian football fans and analysts. While some supporters believe the experienced coach can stabilize the team during the transition period, others share Patrick Tembo’s concerns about the lack of long-term planning within the Football Association of Zambia. Many observers argue that the national team requires a permanent coaching structure to prepare effectively for upcoming international competitions.

Lwandamina brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously coached several clubs in Zambia and other parts of Africa. His familiarity with the local football structure and many players in the national setup could help the team quickly adjust ahead of upcoming fixtures. However, the success of his second stint with the Chipolopolo will largely depend on how quickly the technical bench can organize the squad and deliver positive results.

The upcoming Four-Nation Tournament in Botswana will therefore serve as an important test for Lwandamina and his technical team. The tournament will provide the players with valuable match experience as Zambia begins preparations for the next international assignments, including the qualification path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans will be hoping that the tournament can help the team regain confidence and build momentum under the returning coach.