Gaby Zakuani appointed to DR Congo coaching position
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Loading... - Lawrence Botchway
- 13 Jun 2023
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Former captain of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaby Zakuani, has been appointed as the assistant manager of the national under-20 team.
Zakuani, who earned 29 international caps and participated in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, expressed his excitement about contributing to the future development of their beautiful country. The 37-year-old former center-back shared with the BBC, "The appointment didn't come as a complete surprise since I have been working with the national team. When the new manager, Sebastien Desabre, took charge last year, he reached out to me and visited England several times to seek my perspective on the country's progress."
Zakuani, who commanded a £1m transfer fee when Fulham acquired him from Leyton Orient, where he had experienced promotion, was also part of the Stoke City squad under the guidance of manager Tony Pulis, which secured a spot in the English Premier League.
During his time at Peterborough United, Zakuani played a significant role in their recent history, contributing to two promotions as they moved back and forth between the English Championship. Even after retirement, he remains connected to the club as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Additionally, he worked with BBC Sport Africa during the last World Cup held in Qatar.
Zakuani mentioned that his new coaching role is a perfect fit for him, as there isn't excessive pressure in either capacity. He stated, "Since retiring as a player, I have been involved in acting and media work, but I have always had a passion for coaching and media. This new position allows me to balance both aspects since it is not a year-round commitment."
Having made 253 appearances for Peterborough United, scoring nine goals across two spells, Zakuani later played for Gillingham after a stint with Northampton Town. He served as captain for all three clubs and now carries a clear vision as he steps into his new role.
"Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup. We witnessed the remarkable performances of African teams in the last World Cup, and everyone desires a taste of that success," he declared. "As an assistant manager, I will assist the head coach in training sessions and provide valuable insights. Drawing from my experience as the captain of my country, I can offer constructive feedback to the young players."
Although Zakuani's managerial experience is limited to a brief spell with non-league club Spalding United, he eagerly anticipates this latest opportunity to begin his coaching journey once again.
He expressed, "Coaching provides a greater sense of fulfillment compared to playing. When you're a player, you have control over your own destiny. I had a short stint at Spalding, and it was challenging when the players couldn't execute as I desired. I am immensely proud, and I hope this becomes an even prouder moment for me than my playing career."
Zakuani further remarked on the progress of the national team, stating, "It's as good as it can be for DR Congo. When I attended my first training session and received my first call-up in 2003, everyone wore shorts representing their respective clubs. Now we have official sponsors, just like the European teams. Although there is still a long way to go, the progress is evident and encouraging."
