Rodolfo Zapata
Personal information
Full name Rodolfo Zapata
Date of birth (1966-05-01) 1 May 1966
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
Managerial career
Years Team
2000 Alberta Soccer Association
2001–2009 US Olympic Development Program
2010 Sunshine Stars FC
2011–2012 MP Black Aces FC
2012–2015 USA Youth Soccer Association
2016–2017 Gaborone United
2018 AFC Leopards
2019 Township Rollers
2021 Mukura Victory Sports
2022-2023 Fiji National Team

Rodolfo Zapata (born 1 May 1966) is an Argentine Football Association coach and former player. Overseas, he managed extensively in USA, Nigeria, South Africa, Canada, Kenya, Botswana, Rwanda and Fiji.

Career

Playing career

Rodolfo Zapata started out as a player in the Argentinian 2nd division. He played as goalkeeper in Huracán, Sportivo Italiano, Racing de Olavarría, Club Atlético San Miguel and Cipolletti de Rio Negro. Due to consecutive knee injures, Zapata retired from playing and he started his coaching career.

Managerial career

Canada

In 2000, Zapata taught seminars for coaches and players development in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton that were promoted by Alberta Soccer Association. He planned and coordinated activities of coaching staff. Also he provided recommendations that balance the needs of both recreational and competitive program design.

United States

In 2001–2002, he was Head Coach of United Nations International School in New York City.[1]

Also in New York and New Jersey, he was Head Coach of USA Olympic Development Program (2001-2009). This is a national process for identifying and developing the best youth football players, which represent the United States in international competitions, such as the World Cup and the Olympics.[2][3]

In September 2012, Zapata returned to the United States as Head Coach of United States Youth Soccer Association and New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. His role was to concentrate on the identification and recruitment of the best young players. Many of them have gone on to represent the USA Youth National Teams in various age categories.[4]

Sunshine Stars FC (Nigeria)

In January 2010, he was based in Akure City, where he was Head Coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Sunshine Stars FC.[5][6]

MP Black Aces (South Africa)

In 2011–2012 season, Rodolfo was appointed to be Head Coach of MP Black Aces FC in South Africa.[7][8]

Gaborone United (Botswana)

In 2016–2018, Zapata was Head Coach of Gaborone United in the Botswana Premier League.[9]

AFC Leopards (Kenya)

In May 2018, AFC Leopards announced Rodolfo Zapata as their new head coach for the remainder of the Kenyan Premier League season.[10][11]

Township Rollers FC (Botswana)

In 2019, he was appointed as the new head coach of Township Rollers FC in Botswana.[12]

Rodolfo Zapata won the 2018–2019 edition of the Botswana Premier League with his club. As a result, Township Rollers qualified for the 2019–2020 Africa Champions League.[13][14]

As Head Coach of Township Rollers FC, Zapata has overseen a possession-based and attacking style of play. He has most consistently favored a 4-1-4-1 formation, but there have also been occasions when both a 4-3-2-1 and 4-3-3 have been used. Notably, represent subtle positional changes from Rollers' 4-1-4-1 tactic.[15][16]

Mukura Victory Sports (Rwanda)

In March 2021, Zapata joined Mukura Victory Sports in the Rwanda Premier League.[17]

Fiji National Team

After his experience in Rwanda, Zapata signed as Head Coach of Fiji U20 National Team.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "El DT argentino de la ONU - LA NACION". 20 August 2004.
  2. ↑ "Nigeria National Team: Argentine Coach is a new NFF candidate –". 7 September 2010.
  3. ↑ "Interview with Rodolfo Zapata –". 15 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "Rodolfo Zapata: "I Expected More From USA, African Teams"". 16 July 2014.
  5. ↑ ""Van a dar ventajas"". www.ole.com.ar. 28 May 2010.
  6. ↑ "Sunshine Stars FC (Nigeria)". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ↑ "Zapata takes over from Rosslee at Mpumalanga Black Aces". KickOff. 7 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "Rolo Zapata resigns as Black Aces coach - News Ghana". 4 April 2012.
  9. ↑ Tlhobogang, Othusitse. "Will Zapata save GU? - The Patriot on Sunday". www.thepatriot.co.bw.
  10. ↑ "AFC Leopards preps with new coach Rodolfo Zapata". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  11. ↑ "Leopards turn to Argentinian magic, appoint Zapata as new head coach". Citizentv.co.ke.
  12. ↑ "Township Rollers FC". www.facebook.com.
  13. ↑ Tagliaferri, Guillermo (8 May 2019). "Rodolfo Zapata, el DT argentino campeón en Botswana".
  14. ↑ "The Monitor: We Have To Win Every Match". www.mmegi.bw.
  15. ↑ "Hay muchos mediocampistas ofensivos. Por eso el sistema que uso es el 4-1-4-1 con cuatro números 10 con llegada y talentosos". www.tiempoar.com.ar.
  16. ↑ "Township Rollers vs Mochudi Centre Chiefs Formation: 4-1-4-1". www.facebook.com.
  17. ↑ "Umunya-Argentine Zapata yagizwe umutoza wa Mukura VS". www.kigalitoday.com.
  18. ↑ "Usai Dicukur Timnas U-20 Indonesia, Pelatih Fiji Tetap Yakin Anak Asuhnya Bakal Bangkit di Piala Dunia U-20 2023". www.bolasport.com.
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