CHAN: Avram Grant says ill-preparations cost Zambia against DR Congo

Zambia’s senior men’s national football team coach, Avram Grant, commented on the factors behind their opening 0-2 loss to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Thursday.

However, the former Chelsea boss hastened that he was not churning out excuses, but simply stating factors behind the defeat in Kenya.

Grant cited a lack of friendlies and travel hitches as having undermined Chipolopolo’s cohesion going into the tournament exclusive to home-based players.

“First, I want to say ‘congratulations to Congo’,” the coach said at a post-match press conference.

“They were fighting very well today and they won, so I want to congratulate them. About our team, we didn’t play well. We didn’t play like we know how to play, but it is the first time that this team is playing together.”

Why Zambia couldn’t cope with the DR Congo

Grant highlighted travel hitches and a lack of friendlies as having connived to undermine the Chipolopolo’s performance.

“We didn’t have friendly games, even between us we couldn’t play because in the last moments, we had problems with the flight which we had planned, and yesterday, the training was at 5:30pm, which was not good for recovery and everything. I don’t want to use this as an excuse but this is a fact. All this together, we were not at our best today,” the Israeli explained.

Grant looks forward to bouncing back

With tough games against Morocco, Kenya and Angola lying ahead, the former Portsmouth manager said all was not lost even though the profile of the opposition looks strong on paper.

“I believe that in the next game, we will be better because the team will play the second game together, so I believe it will be good. I said to the players that nothing is finished in the first game even if we win or lose. We need to show that we are strong in the next game,” he added.

Congo grabbed the maximum points, thanks to Ibrahim Matobo and Horso Malanga’s second half goals in the Group A encounter at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Zambia face Angola on Sunday.