Rodolfo Zapata

For the Argentine singer and musician, see Rodolfo Zapata (singer).

Rodolfo Zapata

Personal information
Full name	Rodolfo Zapata
Date of birth	(1966-05-01) 1 May 1966 (age 59)
Place of birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Team information
Current team	Thimphu City FC [1]
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 U20
2024–2025	Montego Bay United

Rodolfo Zapata (born 1 May 1966) is an Argentine Football Association and CONMEBOL PRO license coach. He is a dual citizen of Argentina and the US.

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. After suffering a knee injury that ended his palying career, he began coaching. ^[2]

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 also planned and coordinated activities of coaching staff. ^[3]

United States

In 2001, he was head coach of United Nations International School in New York City. ^[4]

Also in New York and New Jersey, he was head coach of USA Olympic Development Program (2001–2009), national process for identifying and developing youth football players to represent the United States in international competitions. ^{[5] [6]}

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 the identification and recruitment of young players. ^[7]

Sunshine Stars FC (Nigeria)

In January 2010, he was based in Akure as head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side Sunshine Stars FC. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

MP Black Aces (South Africa)

In 2011–2012 season, Rodolfo was appointed as head coach of MP Black Aces FC in South Africa. ^{[11] [12]}

Gaborone United (Botswana)

From 2016–2018, Zapata was head coach of Gaborone United in the Botswana Premier League. The club suffered financial and internal politics troubles during his time. He contributed to the progress of fifteen U23 players into the first team, while avoiding relegation. ^{[13] [14]}

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. ^{[15] [16]}

Township Rollers FC (Botswana)

In 2019, he was appointed as the new head coach of Township Rollers FC in Botswana. ^[17]

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. ^{[18] [19]} As head coach of Township Rollers FC, Zapata oversaw a possession-based and attacking style of play. ^{[20] [21]}

Mukura Victory Sports (Rwanda)

In March 2021, Rodolfo joined Mukura Victory Sports in Rwanda Premier League. ^{[22] [23]}

Fiji

After his experience in Rwanda, Zapata signed as head coach of Fiji team for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. ^{[24] [25] [26] [27]}

Montego Bay United (Jamaica)

Rodolfo Zapata joined Montego Bay United for 2024–25. ^{[28] [29] [30] [31] [32]}

References

1. https://www.kickoff.com/world-news/around-the-world/former-psl-coach-rodolfo-zapata-takes-on-new-coaching-gig-in-asia
2. "Rodolfo Zapata appointed coach of Fiji U20 - Fiji Village".
3. "Rodolfo Zapata candidate to coach in Ghana - Modern Ghana". 20 August 2011.
4. "El DT argentino de la ONU - Modern Ghana". 28 February 2004.
5. "Nigeria National Team: Argentine Coach is a new NFF candidate –". 7 September 2010.
6. "Interview with Rodolfo Zapata –". 15 December 2010.
7. "Rodolfo Zapata: "I Expected More From USA, African Teams"". 16 July 2014.
8. "Van a dar ventajas". www.ole.com.ar. 28 May 2010.
9. "Sunshine Stars FC (Nigeria)". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
10. "Nigeria National Team: Argentina Coach is a new candidate". www.modernghana.com. 5 September 2010.
11. "Zapata takes over from Rosslee at Mpumalanga Black Aces". KickOff. 7 December 2011.
12. "Rolo Zapata resigns as Black Aces coach - News Ghana". 4 April 2012.
13. Tlhobogang, Othusitse. "Will Zapata save GU? - The Patriot on Sunday". www.thepatriot.co.bw.
14. "Botswana Soccer: Why Argentina-USA Coach Rodolfo Zapata Prefer Youthful Players? - Modern Ghana". www.modernghana.com.
15. "AFC Leopards preps with new coach Rodolfo Zapata". Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
16. "Leopards turn to Argentinian magic, appoint Zapata as new head coach". Citizentv.co.ke.
17. "Township Rollers FC". www.facebook.com.
18. Tagliaferri, Guillermo (8 May 2019). "Rodolfo Zapata, el DT argentino campeón en Botswana".
19. "The Monitor: We Have To Win Every Match". www.mmegi.bw.
20. "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.
21. "Township Rollers vs Mochudi Centre Chiefs Formation: 4-1-4-1". www.facebook.com.
22. "Umunya-Argentine Zapata yagizwe umutoza wa Mukura VS". www.kigalitoday.com.
23. "The tasks that await Mukura head coach Rodolfo Zapata". www.newtimes.co.rw.
24. "Rodolfo Zapata is Fiji Football U20 coach". www.fbcnews.com.fj.
25. "Fiji Football U-20 signed with Argentinian coach Rodolfo Zapata". oceaniafootballcenter.org.
26. "Usai Dicukur Timnas U-20 Indonesia, Pelatih Fiji Tetap Yakin Anak Asuhnya Bakal Bangkit di Piala Dunia U-20 2023". www.bolasport.com.
27. "Rodolfo Zapata Has Faith In Fiji Football". www.fijisun.com.fj.
28. "Montego Bay United FC Welcomes New Coach, Rodolfo Zapata, for the 2024-25 Season". www.montegobayunitedfc.com.
29. "Montego Bay United seek fast start with new Argentine coach". www.jamaica-gleaner.com.
30. "MoBay United's Zapata happy with playoff-like performance". www.jamaica-star.com.
31. "Zapata believes in building homegrown core for Reggae Boyz". www.jamaica-gleaner.com.
32. "Zapata: Jamaicans 'must awaken hunger for success' - Argentinian says 50 per cent Reggae Boyz should include players from JPL". www.jamaica-star.com.

External links

• All you need to know about Rodolfo Zapata in 90 seconds
• Salida laboral ¿Qué pasa, por ejemplo, cuando no conseguís trabajo en tu país?
• Zapata, el argentino que triunfa en Botswana
• AFC Leopards is destined for a better future
• Nigeria National Team: Argentine Coach is a new NFF candidate
• Botswana football: Can Rodolfo Zapata pull Gaborone United out of the red?
• Na Nigéria, técnico argentino dá dicas a Maradona
• Las claves del primer rival
• La Seleccion de Nigeria es floja en defensa
• Messi no luce porque no tiene asimilado el concepto de equipo
• TNT Sports Argentina: Futbol for Export Rodolfo Zapata
• COACH RODOLFO ZAPATA - Sunshine Stars FC, Nigeria Premier League