Patrick Phiri
Encyclopedia
Patrick Phiri is a Zambia national football team
Coach alongside Zambian living legend Kalusha Bwalya
. Phiri was the Chipolopolo Boyz coach in the 2008 Africa Cup Of Nations in Ghana.
Air Force (ZAF) sponsored side Red Arrows in the early 80s.
At Ghana 78, Phiri was mainly used as a super sub (impact player) as he was competing for a starting berth in midfield with the likes of Alex Chola, Evans Katobe, Willie Phiri, Peter Kaumba and Stone Chibwe.
Phiri’s managerial qualities initially came to the fore whilst he was at Arrows. And ZAF
did not hesitate sending him to Germany
after the recommendation of the then ZAF sports officer Boniface Simutowe (now coach of Profound).
On his return from Germany
, Phiri was entrusted with the job of managing, Red Arrows
and the young coach did not disappoint. But it was at another FAZ Premier league side, Lusaka Dynamos that Phiri built a side on strong team play , closing down the opponents and hardwork which took the league by storm. Some of the top name players Dynamos produced during Phir’s time are Perry Mutapa
(played in Portugal and South Africa
notably with Orlando Pirates), Alex Namazaba and the late Nsofwa Chaswe (Malaysia and Israel
).
His success at Dynamos did not go unnoticed, as FAZ offered him the Zambia national soccer team Under-20 in 1996. Phiri guided the team to the 1997 African Youth Cup championship which was held in Morocco. Phiri’s squad was inexperience as they crushed out in the group stages losing 1-0 to Benni McCarthy
led Amaglu-glu and drawing 2-2 against Boventure Kalou’s Ivory Coast and 1-1 against Mali. One surprising thing is that only Andrew Sinkala
(Germany and Harry Milanzi (Angola) are still playing active football while the likes Rotson Kilambe,Edward ’Bubble’ Kangwa, Emmanuel Zulu
, George Kampembwa, Gift Kampamba, Gerald Sakala and Perry Mutapa Mutapa haven’t lived up to their potential.
Phiri was replaced by the late Benjamin Bwalya-Kalusha’s elder brother just after the African Youth Cup but Bwalya died in 1998 and Phiri bounced back. Phiri continued from where he left and made history by qualifying to the 1999 FIFA World Youth Cup in Nigeria, a first time ever by a Zambian coach and team. At the finals the Andrew Sinkala
captained side beat Honduras 4-3 and forced a draw against the eventual champions Spain who featured Real Madrid duo Iker Casillas and Guti.
The Zambian squad which featured the likes Gift and Chintu Kampamba
, Milton Tembo, Amon Simutowe, Ronald Mbambara, Chaswe, Zulu and Ian Bakala eventually bowed out of the tournament after losing 5-1 to Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
Phiri completed the dream year (Bamfuchile’s Under-23 led by Moses Sichone
, Mutapa and Kilambe were runners up to Cameroon at the All Africa Games) for Zambian football when he guided the under-20 to their third successive COSAFA Under- 20 title over archrivals South Africa. This is Phiri’s greatest achievement and memorable moment.
The former Nkana and Red Arrows winger then trekked to Tanzania, where he had a stint with Simba FC. After a first round elimination at Mali
2002 African Cup of Nations, Phiri replaced controversial Germany Burkand Ziese as the Chipolopolo coach.
The soft spoken Germany trained coach was tasked with qualifying the Copperbullets to Tunisia 2004 AFCON but lucky was not on his side as Zambia lost 3-1 to Benin in the last game. This was the first time since 1990 that the chipolopolo boys has failed to qualify for African biggest showpiece and Phiri’s sack was inevitable and he was sacked after a COSAFA semi final post match penalties loss to Malawi in August 2004.
Phiri gave international debuts to players like Collins Mbesuma
, Chris Katongo, Noel Mwandila, Clive Hachilensa
, Noel Mwandila, Songwe and Sashi Chalwe.
Tanzania
was to be again his hiding place as he propelled Simba FC to a league by going unbeaten. Whilst at Simba, Phiri was involved in an accident and was unable to continue coaching. He was replaced by South African Trott Moloto at Simba while he was recovering. After his recovery, he was hired by his former club Nkana as the technical Director.
Phiri’s time as a coach has been defined by peaks and troughs. And when Kalusha Bwalya did not renew his contract and hot favourite for the job Ben Bamfuchile opted for a more stable and financial lucrative job in Namibia, FAZ appointed Phiri as the caretaker coach.
This time Phiri delivered as he guided Zambia to two regional titles; COSAFA Castle cup trophy and CECAFA Challenge Cup in 2006. These were the first trophies Zambia had won since since 1998.
With a game left, away against Bafana Bafana, three points behind group leaders South Africa
, Zambia chances of qualifying for Ghana
2008 AFCON were slim. Was this going to be another Phiri’s 2004 debacle? With fans calling for his chop, Phiri’ Zambia
surprised many by beating archrivals Brazilian Pereira’s coached Bafana Bafana 3-1 and this won him many pundits praise. The 1994 World Cup winner Pareira revenged in the final of the 2007 regional COSAFA Castle Cup final when the two countries met on October, 24th.
After guiding the Chipolopolo boys to Ghana
2008, Phiri ‘s real task is to ensure they don’t ship into another trough at the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations
in Ghana
Zambia national football team
The Zambia national football team represents the country of Zambia in the sport of association football and is governed by the Football Association of Zambia. Before independence they were known as the Northern Rhodesia national football team. The side is nicknamed Chipolopolo as copper is one of...
Coach alongside Zambian living legend Kalusha Bwalya
Kalusha Bwalya
Kalusha Bwalya , known as simply Kalusha, is a Zambian footballer and coach. He is Zambia's most capped player, all-time top goalscorer, and is regarded as the greatest Zambian player to play the game...
. Phiri was the Chipolopolo Boyz coach in the 2008 Africa Cup Of Nations in Ghana.
Early career
The Zambian's playing career saw him start out with Ronkana now known as Nkana Red Devils in the 70s before defecting to ZambiaZambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
Air Force (ZAF) sponsored side Red Arrows in the early 80s.
Career
It was while at Ronkana, when he won his first international cap and the man they nicknamed ‘Mathetician’ was part of the Zambian squad that featured at 1978 African Cup of Nations in GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
At Ghana 78, Phiri was mainly used as a super sub (impact player) as he was competing for a starting berth in midfield with the likes of Alex Chola, Evans Katobe, Willie Phiri, Peter Kaumba and Stone Chibwe.
Phiri’s managerial qualities initially came to the fore whilst he was at Arrows. And ZAF
Zambian Air Force
The Zambian Air Force is the air force of Zambia.Following the creation of the Republic of Zambia in 1964, Zambian military avaition was organized as the Zambia Air Wing which lasted until 1968. The Zambian Air Force was then established....
did not hesitate sending him to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
after the recommendation of the then ZAF sports officer Boniface Simutowe (now coach of Profound).
On his return from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Phiri was entrusted with the job of managing, Red Arrows
Red Arrows
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton, but due to move to RAF Waddington in 2011...
and the young coach did not disappoint. But it was at another FAZ Premier league side, Lusaka Dynamos that Phiri built a side on strong team play , closing down the opponents and hardwork which took the league by storm. Some of the top name players Dynamos produced during Phir’s time are Perry Mutapa
Perry Mutapa
Perry Mutapa is a Zambian football midfielder.He was part of the Zambian 2000 African Nations Cup team, who finished third in group C in the first round of competition, thus failing to secure qualification for the quarter-finals...
(played in Portugal and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
notably with Orlando Pirates), Alex Namazaba and the late Nsofwa Chaswe (Malaysia and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
).
His success at Dynamos did not go unnoticed, as FAZ offered him the Zambia national soccer team Under-20 in 1996. Phiri guided the team to the 1997 African Youth Cup championship which was held in Morocco. Phiri’s squad was inexperience as they crushed out in the group stages losing 1-0 to Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy
Benedict Saul "Benni" McCarthy is a South African footballer who is currently contracted to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.McCarthy holds the record of international goals for a South African...
led Amaglu-glu and drawing 2-2 against Boventure Kalou’s Ivory Coast and 1-1 against Mali. One surprising thing is that only Andrew Sinkala
Andrew Sinkala
Andrew Mutambo Sinkala is a Zambian football midfielder.His late father, Moffat Mutambo, also played for Nchanga Rangers and national soccer team as a defender....
(Germany and Harry Milanzi (Angola) are still playing active football while the likes Rotson Kilambe,Edward ’Bubble’ Kangwa, Emmanuel Zulu
Emmanuel Zulu
-International competition:Zulu represented Zambia at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship as well as in 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Togo and Botswana.-Professional competition:...
, George Kampembwa, Gift Kampamba, Gerald Sakala and Perry Mutapa Mutapa haven’t lived up to their potential.
Phiri was replaced by the late Benjamin Bwalya-Kalusha’s elder brother just after the African Youth Cup but Bwalya died in 1998 and Phiri bounced back. Phiri continued from where he left and made history by qualifying to the 1999 FIFA World Youth Cup in Nigeria, a first time ever by a Zambian coach and team. At the finals the Andrew Sinkala
Andrew Sinkala
Andrew Mutambo Sinkala is a Zambian football midfielder.His late father, Moffat Mutambo, also played for Nchanga Rangers and national soccer team as a defender....
captained side beat Honduras 4-3 and forced a draw against the eventual champions Spain who featured Real Madrid duo Iker Casillas and Guti.
The Zambian squad which featured the likes Gift and Chintu Kampamba
Chintu Kampamba
Chintu Kampamba is a Zambian Defender who currently plays for Free State Stars in South Africa. He made his Africa Cup of Nations debut in when Zambia went head to head with Egypt. He has only one Africa Cup of Nations appearance....
, Milton Tembo, Amon Simutowe, Ronald Mbambara, Chaswe, Zulu and Ian Bakala eventually bowed out of the tournament after losing 5-1 to Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
Phiri completed the dream year (Bamfuchile’s Under-23 led by Moses Sichone
Moses Sichone
-Career:Sichone joined the squad of Kickers Offenbach in June 2007. After ten years in Germany he left the country on 20 July 2009 and signed for AEP Paphos FC. On 12 July 2010, Sichone signed a one-year contract in the 3rd Liga for FC Carl Zeiss Jena...
, Mutapa and Kilambe were runners up to Cameroon at the All Africa Games) for Zambian football when he guided the under-20 to their third successive COSAFA Under- 20 title over archrivals South Africa. This is Phiri’s greatest achievement and memorable moment.
The former Nkana and Red Arrows winger then trekked to Tanzania, where he had a stint with Simba FC. After a first round elimination at Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
2002 African Cup of Nations, Phiri replaced controversial Germany Burkand Ziese as the Chipolopolo coach.
The soft spoken Germany trained coach was tasked with qualifying the Copperbullets to Tunisia 2004 AFCON but lucky was not on his side as Zambia lost 3-1 to Benin in the last game. This was the first time since 1990 that the chipolopolo boys has failed to qualify for African biggest showpiece and Phiri’s sack was inevitable and he was sacked after a COSAFA semi final post match penalties loss to Malawi in August 2004.
Phiri gave international debuts to players like Collins Mbesuma
Collins Mbesuma
Collins Mbesuma is a Zambian footballer. He is nicknamed The Hurricane or Ntofontofo.-Career:Mbesuma was born in Luanshya...
, Chris Katongo, Noel Mwandila, Clive Hachilensa
Clive Hachilensa
Clive Hachilensa is a Zambian football defender.He comes from the southern part of Zambia and has a sister and two other brothers....
, Noel Mwandila, Songwe and Sashi Chalwe.
Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
was to be again his hiding place as he propelled Simba FC to a league by going unbeaten. Whilst at Simba, Phiri was involved in an accident and was unable to continue coaching. He was replaced by South African Trott Moloto at Simba while he was recovering. After his recovery, he was hired by his former club Nkana as the technical Director.
Phiri’s time as a coach has been defined by peaks and troughs. And when Kalusha Bwalya did not renew his contract and hot favourite for the job Ben Bamfuchile opted for a more stable and financial lucrative job in Namibia, FAZ appointed Phiri as the caretaker coach.
This time Phiri delivered as he guided Zambia to two regional titles; COSAFA Castle cup trophy and CECAFA Challenge Cup in 2006. These were the first trophies Zambia had won since since 1998.
With a game left, away against Bafana Bafana, three points behind group leaders South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Zambia chances of qualifying for Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
2008 AFCON were slim. Was this going to be another Phiri’s 2004 debacle? With fans calling for his chop, Phiri’ Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
surprised many by beating archrivals Brazilian Pereira’s coached Bafana Bafana 3-1 and this won him many pundits praise. The 1994 World Cup winner Pareira revenged in the final of the 2007 regional COSAFA Castle Cup final when the two countries met on October, 24th.
After guiding the Chipolopolo boys to Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
2008, Phiri ‘s real task is to ensure they don’t ship into another trough at the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
in Ghana