Avram Grant speaks to the media - Photo FAZ Media.
Zambia head coach Avram Grant described Chipolopolo’s side’s 1-0 win over Ivory Coast as “most enjoyable” of his 51-year-old career.
During a post-match press conference after Zambia beat the African champions 1-0 to qualify for their second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Grant said the victory was especially special after having endured a lot of injuries in his squad ahead of the crunch tie against the Elephants.
“I am very happy and after 51 years in my career this is one of the most enjoyable wins against a very good team, the champions of Africa with players from all over,” he said. “We played with a lot of difficulties, and I didn't want to mention them before about the players that are not with us.”
Prior to the Ivory Coast game, Zambia’s injury list comprised Miguel Chaiwa, Lameck Banda, Kingstone Mutandwa, Patson Daka, Edward Chilufya and Lubambo Musonda. During the camp, the injury list increased with Benedict Chepeshi and Tandi Mwape while Benson Sakala was struck by illness.
“I need to count them and then in camp Chepeshi (Benedict) was injured then two days again, Tandi (Mwape) got injured and then Benson got sick today (Friday). So we needed to find replacements for all of them,” he said.
Grant hailed the fighting spirit of the players that had stepped to replace the injured ones. “I told them from the moment we speak about character you can see what the players did. It's amazing against such a good team with these players,” he said.
He added: “I am very proud of the players, very happy that we qualified for a second time in a row after not going there for a long time and I hope Zambia will do well now in Morocco.”
Grant heaped praise on his players for coming to the party at a critical time. “I don't mention names, but Sabobo (Joseph) was very good, Kennedy Musonda scored 3 goals in 5 games what more can you ask for? Kelvin (Kampamba) is without any game but he's excellent on the pitch,” he said.
“Kapumbu hasn't played, he didn't need to play because Benson (Sakala) got sick but got his chances today. Very good game maybe he needed to play because he was good in the first leg against Ivory Coast.”
“Kings was amazing and the other players we shouldn't forget is Obino, he is a midfielder, and we put him as a left back and I think he was good, Gift (Mphande) and others also.”
The table-topping Chipolopolo left for Monrovia on Saturday for the final Group G match against Sierra Leone which will be played on Tuesday. Zambia and Ivory Coast have already qualified for the Morocco 2025 AFCON but will be looking to seal top spot in their group matches.
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