Kennedy Gondwe BBC Sport, Lusaka

Sichone believes Bwalya can do the job

Zambia captain Moses Sichone has backed moves to employ Kalusha Bwalya as the new manager of the national team.

Sichone told the BBC Sport website that hiring the former African Footballer of the Year could reverse the country's flagging fortunes.

"His appointment would bring a lot of positive changes to our football.

His appointment would bring positive changes to our football Moses Sichone

"Kalusha has first-hand experience of the problems facing Zambian football and would know how to deal with them," said Sichone, who plays for FC Cologne in Germany.

Bwalya, who is based in Holland, will arrive in the country next week to discuss his contract with FA officials.

Sichone believes that Bwalya will make a success of the manager's job if he is given enough time to deal with the problems that led to Zambia's inability to qualify for next year's Nations Cup.

But the FC Cologne player was critical of the decision to sack former coach Patrick Phiri.

Sichone said Phiri was unable to perform well because he was not given the required support from FA officials.

"He was a very good coach who went through a difficult period," he said.