Zambia head coach Avram Grant - Photo Courtesy FAZ Media.
Zambia coach Avram Grant has called on Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to put in place good preparations for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) participation in Morocco.
“I think it was a lack of experience. Our preparation was not good,” he said as quoted by Bola News. “We didn’t have a proper camp, and the players didn’t play [regularly] at their clubs. But I think even then we came as a good team. But you know with the qualification, Congo and Morocco on paper are much better than us, but we still did well against them.
“I’m sure there’s next Africa [Cup], and everybody learned their lesson. It’s an experience. I’ll always say the past is not for criticism and not to blame anybody. The past is for good memories. I will always take the good memories from here to my home and for lessons. And it was a good lesson for us because we have now another chance in Africa. And I’m sure if Zambia will prepare well [we can do better than last time].”
Zambia defeated Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone 1-0 and 2-0, respectively, to finish the qualifiers in first place with 13 points and four clean sheets, a point ahead of African champions Ivory Coast, who finished in second position with 12 points.
Midfielder Kings Kangwa was quick to thank the fans for their support, saying “A big shout out to the fans, they really helped us in this qualification. A big thanks to them. We want them to continue giving us the support, and we will continue to do our best.”
Top goalscorer Musonda praised Chipolopolo fans, adding, “To be able to represent over 20 million Zambians and have the support is an incredible feeling, and we don’t take it for granted.”
The Chipolopolo boys will now return to their clubs, and AFCON matches will resume in late December.
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