World Cup (Q): It is possible to finish second in Group E- Zambia coach Grant

Zambia national team head coach Avram Grant says his sights are firmly set on securing maximum points from the upcoming Group E 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier games against Tanzania and Niger, as they look to finish their campaign on a strong note.

The former Chelsea manager expressed belief in his team’s progress and confidence that Zambia can rise to the challenge. Zambia will face Tanzania away on October 8 before a home tie against Niger at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on October 12.

“We are facing two important games against Tanzania and Niger,” Grant told reporters as quoted by FAZ Media. “Last month we played against Morocco we played very well but we lost from two big mistakes and we missed a lot of chances. But it was a good game. I hope we continue with this quality.”

Zambia sets eyes on back-to-back victories

Grant reiterated that his mission is clear, to guide Zambia to back-to-back victories and maintain their upward trajectory.

“We want to win these two games,” he said. “But as you say, we need to kill each game by itself. The first game against Tanzania is away. It’s very tough to play against Tanzania, but as you saw in the last game and the games before, we have a good team. Tanzania is very strong in their home, but we are strong also, so we want to win this game.”

Grant added: “If we speak pure football, we are playing good, we are improving. We are on the right way it’s a process to put Zambia among the biggest in Africa,” he said. “We have an identity, we have a strategy that we play all the time, and we need to continue what we did well until now.

“The national team is not a closed club. You need to show passion and sacrifice because we are not representing ourselves, we are representing 20 million people,” he said. “We want to win these two games and be in second place in our group. It is possible.”

The Chipolopolo leave for Zanzibar on Sunday ahead of Wednesday’s clash with the Taifa Stars which will be staged at the refurbished 15,000 capacity Amaani Stadium.

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