The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed experienced Mexican coach Sergio Fentanes Orozco as technical analyst and advisor for the Chipolopolo’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco.
FAZ general secretary Machacha Shepande confirmed the appointment late Wednesday, saying Fentanes will provide targeted technical support to the bench during the tournament, which runs from 19 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
He has already joined the team in Casablanca.
Shepande stressed that the engagement does not alter FAZ’s commitment to empowering local coaches but is designed to complement their work at AFCON, particularly in match analysis and opposition profiling.
Fentanes is no stranger to Zambian football, having previously worked with Chipolopolo squads at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt and the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea.
He also assisted the Zambia Under‑17 team that qualified for the 2015 CAF U‑17 AFCON finals in Niger.
Beyond Zambia, he has held analytical roles with the national teams of Peru and Mexico.
His appointment comes as Zambia seeks to make a strong impression at AFCON 2025.
The Chipolopolo, who famously won the continental title in 2012, are aiming to reassert themselves among Africa’s elite after mixed performances in recent tournaments.
Head coach Moses Sichone leads the technical bench, with Fentanes expected to enhance tactical planning and in‑game analysis.
JN/APA