Avram Grant lays out Zambia’s vision and mission for 2024 CHAN

Zambia national team head coach Avram Grant has laid out the expectations, the vision and the mission for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to kick off in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Speaking after the team’s training session on Wednesday, Grant said he hopes that more players will get a chance to play in bigger leagues after the CHAN which is a tournament exclusively held for players plying their trade in their nation’s domestic league.

“I think in this competition we are more concentrated about our team, to develop them, to develop them personally, to see who we can promote to the first team,” the former Chelsea coach told FAZ Media.

“And, of course, you can do it only when you have a winning mentality. We showed in the last qualification to the Africa Cup that we have a winning mentality. Even if we missed eight or seven players, all the key players, we won and we came to the Africa Cup on top of our group. For other people it is a big surprise. For me, as I saw the players in the training, it was not a surprise.”

He added: “I don’t think the opponent is important. It is more important what we will do. We want to develop these players. We want to create a team. We want to create a winning mentality. In addition, as I said, I came to Zambia to do something for the long term, not only for the short term. For the short term it’s okay.”

Discussing their Group A that comprises Kenya, Angola, DR Congo, and Morocco ahead of the tournament to run from August 2 to 30, Grant said, “We have a tough, tough group, as I understand. Very tough group. So what? Our target is to be tough on the other teams.”

Zambia will open its CHAN account on August 7 with a tussle with Congo DR before facing Angola three days later. The third game will be against Morocco on August 14 before concluding the group matches three days later in a clash with Kenya.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS); Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Levison Banda (Zesco United), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows).

(DEFENDERS); Benedict Chepeshi, Kabaso Chongo (all Zesco United), Mathews Banda, Kendrick Mumba, (both Nkana), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga, Happy Nsiku (all Red Arrows), Lyson Banda (Green Buffaloes), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), John Chishimba (Zanaco).

(MIDFIELDERS); Owen Tembo, Frederick Mulambia, Prince Mumba (both Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kapumbu (Konkola Blades), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Philimon Chilimina (Green Buffaloes), Rally Bwalya (Napsa Stars), Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Jackson Kampamba (Mutondo Stars), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi), Timothy Sichalwe (Athletico), Kelvin Mwanza (Muza FC).

(STRIKERS); Andrew Phiri (MUZA), Evans Kayombo (Napsa Stars), Charles Zulu (Nkana), Ricky Banda, Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), Kenan Phiri (Makeni All Stars).