Former Croatia assistant coach Aljosa Asanovic has said he feels honoured to have been entrusted with Zambia’s Chipolopolo coaching job.

The former Napoli and Derby County forward said this on Tuesday after being appointed as Zambia coach on a four-year contract.

The 56-year-old described Zambia as a great footballing country, adding that there would be no excuses for failing again to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) edition.

“…I am so happy to be the head coach of the national team of Zambia because you are a great country with great players and I have the job to make you happy,” Asanović said after being unveiled at Protea Hotel in Lusaka.

 “I am so glad to be here and to work with these players. This is my only job why I am…I am here to be good to my players, play very well, to be disciplined in the game and in training. This is my way. I don’t talk too much about how we are preparing and how we are playing but I know very well and I can’t wait for the next camp to work with my boys…”

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) officials unveiled Asanovic who has filled the void created by the departure of Milutin Sredojevic last year.

Asanovic, who served as the right hand man for the then Croatia coach Slaven Bilic from 2006 to 2012,  was part of Zambia interim coach Beston Chambeshi backroom staff last year.

The association believes the stint Asanovic had with Zambia last year would give him an insight into the task ahead.

Zambia, despite being endowed with some of the finest up-and-coming players such as Enock Mwepu (Brighton and Hove Albion, Fashion Sakala (Rangers) and Patson Daka (Leicester City), missed out on qualification to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.