Lusaka, Jan 4 (IANS): Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya wants a foreign coach for the national football team.

Bwalya said local coaches should upgrade their coaching qualifications if they are to be considered for the job, reports Xinhua.

According to the football chief, 90 percent of African national teams were headed by foreign coaches.

"I don't know why people want to have a Zambian coach when 90 percent of coaches in Africa are foreign. Our local coaches should acquire necessary qualifications if they are to be considered to coach the national team.

"One can be successful at club level but that does not mean they can also succeed in coaching the national team," the 1988 African Footballer of the Year who coached the national squad from 2003 to 2006, said.

Local coaches have called on the governing body to consider appointing a local coach following the departure of Frenchman Herve Renard last year.