Wedson Nyirenda has quit as Chipolopolo coach after two years at the helm.
The Football Association of Zambia confirmed that the two parties had parted company on May 24.
Speculation is Wedson is heading south to the South Africa PSL club Baroka FC.
“The Football Association of Zambia wishes to announce the resignation of Mr. Wedson Nyirenda as Head Coach of the Zambia national team with immediate effect,” FAZ general secretary Ponga Liwewe said.
“He served as national coach from September 2016 to May 2018.
“The association wishes to thank Mr. Nyirenda for his contribution towards the national team and for the sterling work he put into his job.
“The process to fill the vacancy of Head Coach will begin and the Association will conclude the process in the shortest possible time to meet upcoming engagements.”
Wedson departs after breathing some fresh air into a hitherto stale Chipolopolo during his tenure.
He guided a make-shift Zambia to its first COSAFA Cup final since 2013 when they finished runners-up in 2017 with Justin Shonga and Brian Mwila emerging as part of the new guards.
Ex-Zanaco midfielder Augustine Mulenga was later another revelation under Wedson during the 2018 CHAN qualifiers.
Wedson later gambled on Zesco United striker Lazarus Kambole for the CHAN tournament that saw the Zambia debutants’ two goals including Mulenga’s three goals propel Zambia to the quarterfinals in Morocco.
Written off as the whipping boys in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Zambia finished second in Group B with the highlight coming last September after collecting historic back-to-back wins over Algeria.
But draws over both legs against Cameroon plus losses to eventual Group B winners Nigeria left Zambia to settle for second best in the Russia qualifiers.
However, Wedson had earlier attained notoriety for presiding over Zambia’s first-ever loss to Mozambique that came in their opening 2019 AFCON Group K qualifier last June 10 in a bitter 1-0 home loss in Ndola.
Wedson could just not shake off that ghost and has left without redemption for the second Group K game away to Namibia coming-up this September.
Good News.
There is nothing bad about Nyerenda, only FAZ is.
And why Ponga still secretary? He resigned, he should let it go like Wedson has done. Move on.
All the best in your future endeavors! Progressives know when to hang up and move on.
I think its good for both parties. Fact remains with the current crop of players not even Pep Guidola or Jose Mourinho can win medals with them.
Those two you’ve mentioned can’t win without money. They ve been coaching highly talented teams that don’t need coaching. The real coaches in the EPL are Darren Moore the new WBA coach, Sam Allardyce, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp
Average achievement. No more head hunt for new coach. Please advertise the vacancy.short listed candidates must be known.
Good riddance
Zikomo, atsibweni. Mupita bwino asibweni
But knowing the current FAZ they have no capacity to bring in a better coach. They look very lost when government tells them it doesnt have money for such things. Here is where Mr Kamanga should show us he is a better manager than Kalusha by bringing in one the European heavyweights. Otherwise our soccer will just be wallowing in the good losers category
* by bringing in one of the European heavyweights.
WELCOME SAMUEL ETO AS COACH FOR ZAMBIA
He now can go and work with HH as campaign manager.
Good riddance! It’s been long overdue!