Zambia Government Reject Would Be National Team Coach

The Zambian government has rejected the nomination of Serbian trainer Vaselin Jelušic to head the national football team.

On Monday, media reports indicated that the South African nation’s football federation had settled for Vaselin as the national team coach.

The federation’s recruitment commission had picked him over French coach Pierre Lechantre, Croatian Tomislav Ivković and Belgian Luc Eymael.

The sports ministry said it did not recognise Vaselin Jelusic as the national team’s head coach because the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) disregarded its recommendation to advertise the job.

The ministry also told FAZ to issue their own work permit to Vaselin should they go ahead and unveil him.

In response to the Ministry, FAZ has since promised through a media release that they would follow the right channel in making the appointment and would not follow through with Vaselin’s appointment.

“The Football Association of Zambia wishes to advise members of the public that it has taken note of Government’s directive and will comply.”

“This is in relation to the appointment of the Zambia national team head coach, where Government has directed that they will not support the recruitment of the recommended candidates,” reads the statement.

“Recently, FAZ had advertised the vacancies in the senior men’s, Under 20 and other similar coaching positions. The response from local coaches was low and we wish to encourage them to apply for the position, once it is advertised.”

“FAZ remains committed to ensuring the best suitable candidate is employed to fill the position.”

The Chipolopolo have a busy schedule ahead with a CHAN qualifier against Eswatini and 2021 AFCON qualifiers which are set to kick off in November.