World Cup (Q): Zambia coach Grant reveals how to transform African football

Zambia national team coach Avram Grant has explained how structural and tactical changes could see Africa compete at the highest level consistently.

Speaking after Zambia defeated Tanzania 1-0 in their second last fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, the former Chelsea coach said Africa had quality players, who can compete with the best in Europe but a lot needs to be done both on and off the pitch.to reach the levels.

‘I think there is a gap to improve on the pitch’

“There are many good things in Africa, many good things, there is a passion, there are good players, athletic players and everything, but we need to improve a few things,” Grant said as quoted by Bola News.

“We can learn from Europe about organization, about tactics, about things that can help African football because I love Africa, a lot of talents, passion for football, good people even around, but I think there is a gap to improve on the pitch and off the pitch because my vision… is that if they will do three, four things I can guarantee that every World Cup one African team to be in a semi-final.”

He added: “They need to work on this and really improve things, especially off the pitch, and then it will affect what’s happening on the pitch about the knowledge about football and something like this. When you come from Europe you see the difference… but I think in Africa there is a very good base, a very good base of players and I would improve three, four things.”

“I say to the president of the CAF, I say to him, do one, two, three, I guarantee with you every World Cup an African team in a semi-final. It’s impossible that this continent, except Morocco last time, Morocco is North Africa, it’s impossible that Africa was not regularly…”

Zambia must beat Niger by at least two goals to have any chance of finishing second and qualifying for the playoffs. Zambia will return home to Ndola for a decisive clash with Niger, one final shot to rescue their World Cup dream.

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