Zambia's Veteran Coach Avram Grant Details Why He Knew Chipolopolo Would Struggle at CHAN 2024

Zambia coach Avram Grant has explained why the poor run his side has had at CHAN 2024 has not surprised him.

As Zambia face Kenya in their final group stage match at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) on Sunday, they face the prospect of finishing with zero points.

The Chipolopolo have been the whipping boys of Group A, starting with a 2-0 loss to DR Congo, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Angola and suffered a 3-1 loss to Morocco in their last match.

With co-hosts Kenya their next opponents, who want a win to be certain of finishing top of the group, Avram Grant’s men could end up empty-handed again, but the veteran coach is not surprised by what has befallen his team at the tournament.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Grant says he foresaw a tough run in the tournament as he brought a young squad which he is testing to see if he can pick a few to integrate into the senior team for future international matches, which include the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December.

Why is Grant Not Surprised by CHAN 2024 Struggles?

“For me, from the beginning, I said that our ambition was to build up the team,” the former Chelsea coach, who has come under criticism for their poor run, told Telecomasia.net.

“Of course, we would have wanted to win every game, but despite losing three, I am happy that we have gotten better in each match. Zambia is not like many other national teams who have many players in Europe and these tournaments offer us a chance to develop more.

“There are maybe three who I have seen that can be integrated into the senior team when we play the next international window,” added Grant, picking up the positives from a tough campaign.

Grant will be encouraged by his team’s second half fightback against Morocco, when they had the ball in the net twice but ruled out for fouls, as they displayed that they can cause problems to opponents.

That is the kind of fight the Chipolopolo will be taking to Kenya on Sunday as they seek to finish their tournament on a positive note.