Zambia have named Belgian Sven Vandenbroeck as their new head coach, according to a Football Association of Zambia statement.
The 38-year-old arrives as the successor to Wedson Nyireda, who left his post in May to join Baroka FC of the South African top flight.
“I think it is a lovely journey in front of us and we are going to make the best of it,” Vandenbroek said, as per FAZ’s official Facebook page.
“I am looking forward to the five games program that we have. It will be tough but I think we can make it, we have to make it. I am looking forward to knowing everybody,” he added, “the players, the coaches and everybody around in the technical committee.”
Vandenbroeck was assistant coach to Hugo Broos during Cameroon’s African Cup of Nations-winning campaign in 2017, having previously worked at OH Leuven. He also featured for the likes of KV Mechelen, Roda JC, De Graafschap and Lierse SK during a playing career that took him to Greece, Norway and the Netherlands.
“We have confidence that he should be able to deliver to the expectations of FAZ, the team and people of Zambia,” FAZ’s acting general secretary Adrian Kashala said in a statement [as per Xinhua]. “Sven’s record and experience in Africa is very good. He was the top choice of those that were considered. He is an AFCON winner with Cameroon,” Kashala continued, “ambitious, young, well qualified, eager for the huge and exciting challenge that the Chipolopolo job provides. His passion and commitment to bring success to the Zambia national team is not in doubt.”