Outgoing Zambia coach Grant makes World Cup wish

Veteran coach Avram Grant has spoken of his wish for the Zambia football team after parting ways with the Chipolopolo on Wednesday.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) general secretary Machacha Shepande confirmed the exit of the Israeli on Wednesday. The former Chelsea FC mentor left his role two months before Zambia’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco.

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

The 70-year-old, who earned the Copper Bullets back-to-back AFCON qualifications during his two-year tenure, has since sent a message to the Zambian football fraternity.

“After almost three years, my time as head coach of the Zambia men’s national team has come to an end,” Grant stated on his Instagram.

“I am proud to leave the team in a much better position than when I inherited it. I am proud that after not qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in years, I managed them to two successive AFCONs and the team is strong and ready to face the challenges ahead.”

What Grant wants Zambia to achieve for the World Cup

The former Ghana’s Black Stars manager then expressed his desire that Zambia should one day qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals.

“I hope that one day this great country qualifies for a World Cup for the first time [in] its long football history,” the coach said.

“I would like to thank the players and my staff who did a great job in challenging conditions and most importantly to the people of Zambia who were so supportive.”

Grant then thanked former FAZ president Andrew Kamanga for affording him the opportunity to manage Zambia. The coach did not mention the current president Keith Mweemba.

“Thank you former (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga for giving me the opportunity to manage this nation. You played a major part in our success. And to all the good people at @fazfootball who stood by me, I wish the team every success for the future,” he added.

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.