LUSAKA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa-based Serbian coach Kostadin Papic said he was not coming to Zambia to look for a job but he would submit application if the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) offered him the opportunity.

    "I came here to Zambia on a private visit, nothing like looking for a job," the former Orlando Pirates coach was cited by Saturday's The Post as saying. " I just came to make myself available if they want a coach," he added.

    Papic said he never applied for the job of coaching Zambian national team but merely expressed his willingness and interest.

    "My letter to FAZ was not an application but an expression of interest and confirm officially my availability to coach the national team," he said.

    The Serbian coach, who jetted in Zambia on Wednesday night for a three-day visit, resigned from his position to honor a promise that he would step down if his team did not win the country's league title.

    Papic's arrival has attracted attentions from both soccer fans and sports officials as the top coaching position of Zambian national team will be vacant following its technical director Kalusha Bwalya's announcement to resign when his contract expires in July this year.

    FAZ spokesman Mwansa Mbulakulima made an announcement on Thursday that the association would not rush into signing any deal with Papic, saying it was not yet decided whether to give the job to a local or a foreigner.

    And on Friday, Mbulakulima said the FAZ preferred to hire a local coach rather than look outside. Enditem