DR Congo FA (FECOFA) has appointed TP Mazembe manager Pamphile Mihayo Kazembe as the national team first assistant coach to replace Mwinyi Zahera.

Mihayo, 41, will deputize the Leopards head coach Florent Ikwange Ibenge. The two will team up ahead of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifying group A tie away to Tunisia, Tunis 1st September.

Like Ibenge who doubles up as the coach of Kinshasa giants AS Vita Club, Mihayo will keep his job at the Lubumbashi based five times African Champions.

Mwinyi was shown the door after failing to qualify home-based Leopards to next year’s CHAN in Kenya.

DRC, who were the defending CHAN Champions, missed qualification at the expense of neighbors Congo Brazzaville, who denied them a spot in the continental showpiece on away goal’s rule last weekend.

Mihayo’s profile has been on the rise since guiding the Ravens to the 2016/17 Linafoot glory in his first attempt.

He took charge at Mazembe early this year – succeeding Frenchman Thierry Froger who was terminated for nonperformance.

His youth centric philosophy has earned him plaudits and given room for emergence of fresh talents like prodigy Ben Malongo, who was joint top goal scorer in Linafoot with 18 goals in his first senior season.

During his playing days as a midfielder, Mihayo captained Mazembe to the 2010 CAF Champions crown and to the final of the FIFA World Club Championship – losing 3-0 to Inter Milan of Italy.