George Lwandamina Appointed Zambia Interim Head Coach

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially announced a restructuring of the Chipolopolo technical bench, appointing George Lwandamina as the interim head coach of the men’s national team.

The decision, confirmed by FAZ acting Deputy General Secretary Iva Lengwe, marks a return to the helm for the man affectionately known as “Chicken” George. Lwandamina, a two-time Zambian Super League winner with ZESCO United, brings a wealth of experience to a side looking to recalibrate its trajectory following a challenging period on the continental stage.

Lwandamina is joined by Oswald Mutapa, the current Power Dynamos coach, who has been named as his first assistant. The appointment is seen as a move to stabilize the team using proven local expertise.

In a simultaneous and decisive move, FAZ has relieved Moses Sichone and Perry Mutapa of their duties on the national team’s technical bench. Sichone, who had stepped into the head coaching role following the departure of Avram Grant in late 2025, faced a tumultuous tenure marked by licensing hurdles and a difficult 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco.

“These changes are aimed at enhancing efficiency and strengthening the team’s performance as we look toward upcoming international commitments,” stated Iva Lengwe in the official FAZ communiqué.

The new technical bench has no time for a honeymoon period. Lwandamina’s immediate assignment is to lead the Chipolopolo in the Four-Nation Tournament scheduled to take place in Francistown, Botswana, from March 23 to 31, 2026.

With the tournament just weeks away, the coaching duo has been tasked with the rapid mobilization of a competitive squad. This will involve balancing the integration of the country’s burgeoning local talent with the seasoned foreign-based professionals who form the backbone of the national side.

This interim appointment serves as a bridge for Zambian football as it navigates a post-AFCON transition.

While the interim tag suggests a search for a permanent successor may eventually follow, Lwandamina’s performance in the coming months will undoubtedly dictate whether his third stint with the national team becomes a long-term arrangement.