Sundowns coach to join Zambia’s Cup of Nations team

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper coach Kennedy Mweene has been drafted into Zambia’s technical team for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with two other former Premier Soccer League players also on the staff.

Mweene will be the goalkeeper coach for the tournament at the end of the year under Moses Sichone, who was appointed as successor to Avram Grant on Thursday.

The former Free State Stars, Lamontville Golden Arrows, and Polokwane City fullback Joseph Musonda is the fitness coach, and Perry Mutapa, who spent two seasons at Orlando Pirates from 2004-06, is an assistant to Sichone.

Zambia have named the new coach only six weeks before they compete at the Cup of Nations finals and a week ahead of their friendly against South Africa in Gqeberha.

New coach Sichone, 48, played in the Bundesliga at FC Cologne and competed in three Cup of Nations tournaments as a player from 1988-2002.

Sichone had been Grant’s assistant and will now be backed up by Cologne teammate Andrew Sinkala and Mutapa, who coaches Green Eagles in the Zambian league.

Sinkala and Sichone played together in the German Bundesliga at FC Cologne, while

“The Football Association of Zambia considered the unique circumstances of scouting for a coach in the short term and opted to instill confidence in local resources with great international exposure,” said a statement.

“The combined assemblage of our new technical bench has enough experience from their playing days in top leagues. Collectively, their transition to coaching after their playing days has been admirable and has been under our watch over the years.”