Baxter Heading For New Coaching Job?

Former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter is said to be heading to Zambia for the Chipolopolo head coach role, iDiski Times has learnt.

The ex-Chiefs mentor has had no job since leaving Amakhosi towards the end of the last season.

However, according to the iDiski Times sources, the Zambian FA has pencilled Baxter as their number one priority.  

The Chipolopolo Boys top job fell vacant after the departure of Croatian gaffer Aljosa Asanovic last month.

The Zambian FA then advertised the post last month, with the UEFA Pro license as requirement setting the bar, though the association encouraged local coaches with national team experience to apply.

This both ways favours Baxter, who took Bafana Bafana to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in 2019 in Egypt.

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The 69-year-old also has the UEFA Pro License, which also gives him the inside lane to take over the post.   

The decision to appoint Baxter is now in the hands of a panel of experts comprising FAZ representatives, government, and the Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA), who are currently studying through the candidates.

Other names who were shortlisted for 2012 AFCON champions include former Chelsea, Ghana, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel, Portsmouth and West Ham boss Avram Grant alongside former Al Ahly and Egypt boss Hossam Albadry, former Liberia boss Antoine Hey, Englishman Peter Butler, Frenchman Sebastian Migne and Gert Engels.

Locals Wedson Nyirenda and Honour Janza have made the shortlist with Roberto Blanchi and Goran Stankovic completing the candidates.

iDiski Times has also learnt that former Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa has also submitted his CV for the Chipolopolo post, as his contract with Iran national team will expire at the end of the World Cup, where he’s assisting former Bafana and Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz. 

Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).