Avram Grant and Zambia part ways

Former Chelsea FC manager Avram Grant has been sacked as Zambia football team coach, two months before the Chipolopolo participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.

A statement from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) general secretary Machacha Shepande confirms the exit of the Israeli who earned the Copper Bullets back-to-back AFCON qualifications.

Shepande says both parties agreed to mutually separate to help chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo.

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has agreed to mutually separate with Zambia Senior Men’s National Team coach Avram Grant. The two parties agreed to mutually separate with FAZ wishing Mr. Grant the best of luck in his future endeavours,” the GS says.

“The rest of the details will be communicated in due course. For now, we can only thank Mr. Grant for his contribution to the Zambian game.”

How did Avram Grant fare with Zambia

The Zambian FA hired Grant on December 22, 2022 on a two-year deal and seemed to impress after securing Chipolopolo an AFCON ticket for 2024 ending their eight-year absence from the continental competitions.

However, the veteran trainer paid the price for poor results in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The 2012 AFCON champions won three matches and lost five to finish second from the bottom of Group E. Grant also infamously fell out with star striker Fashion Sakala before they reconciled months ago.

Zambia must now find a new man to take them to the AFCON finals where they were drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali and Comoros.

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