Kenney Mweene commended the appointment of ex-Golden Arrows and Zambia international goalkeeper Davies Phiri as Chipolopolo’s keeper trainer.
Phiri returns for a second stint as Chipolopolo’s goalkeeper coach after serving in that position from 2011 to 2015 under three Zambia coaches starting with Frenchman Herve Renard.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper worked under Phiri during that period, with the highlight coming in 2012 when Zambia lifted the AFCON title with Renard at the helm.
“I want to commend the Football Association of Zambia for bringing back Davies Phiri to the national team because, for a long time, we have lacked in that department,” Kenney Mweene said.
“He is a hard-working coach whom I have worked with before.
“I ‘am sure the goalkeepers will attest that he is a serious coach who doesn’t promote laziness.”
Phiri, who was until recently at Amazulu, was appointed on March 14 as part of new Zambia coach Avram Grant’s backroom staff.
“He has been here in South Africa and his work ethic is something that will improve our goalkeeping department as a country,” Kenney Mweene said.
“I also want to urge the goalkeepers to pay attention whenever called at the national team. He demands hard work and commitment, that I can tell you.
“Let me congratulate him for the well-deserved appointment.”
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Phiri’s first week back in the Chipolopolo set-up was this month during the 2023 AFCON Group H back-to-back qualifiers against Lesotho on March 23 and March 27 away.
It was a fruitful week for Phiri in which he prepare Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata for the two dates against Likuena that Zambia won 3-1 in Ndola and 2-1 at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, Mweene is following in Phiri’s footsteps and is currently undergoing his apprenticeship at Sundowns as the 38-year-old AFCON winner prepares for life off the pitch.