Zambia coach Avram Grant has unveiled his technical bench that comprises former West Ham and Partizan Belgrade assistant coach Marko Barbul and Chipolopolo legend Moses Sichone.
South Africa-based goalkeeper coach Davies Phiri bounces back as part of the technical team, while others are video analyst Ohad Efrat, with Jamie Lawrence coming in as physical trainer.
Lawrence is a former Premier League star and served as physical trainer for the Jamaica national team. The former Leicester and Bradford City winger served as physical coach in Ghana during the team’s 2015 AFCON silver winning sojourn.
Team Doctor Wesley Ngongo and physiotherapist Hensley Chilimboyi retain their positions.
The technical bench has gotten down to work with the local assembly of players in Lusaka.
Barbul worked as interim coach of the Israel national team while Efat had a stint with Crystal Palace, among other engagements.
FAZ acting General Secretary Iva Lengwe says preparations for the March 23 Group H home match against Lesotho are on course.
“We welcome the members of the technical bench, and we have every reason to believe that given their vast experience and solid credentials they will turnaround the fortunes of the Chipolopolo,” says Lengwe.
“Tickets for the match are already on sale across all Shoprite outlets via Computicket. We urge the fans especially the Copperbelt legion to give the Chipolopolo a rousing welcome to Ndola.”
Zambia hosts the Likuena at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola before squaring off three days later in Johannesburg at Dobsonville Stadium.
Source: Football Association of Zambia