Grant Praises Chipolopolo’s Mental Toughness After AFCON Qualification
Zambia’s national football team, the Chipolopolo, are back on track to reclaim their place among Africa’s footballing giants, according to coach Avram Grant. Speaking on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa Show, the former Chelsea and West Ham coach highlighted the significant progress his team has made in terms of both footballing skill and mental resilience.
Despite battling injuries to key players, including the absence of Patson Daka and team captain Lubambo Musonda, Zambia secured back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications, topping Group G with 13 points, ahead of African champions Cote d’Ivoire.
Grant reflected on the team’s growth, especially in overcoming difficult situations. “We worked a lot about the mental side,” he said. “After the 2-0 loss to Cote d’Ivoire, we showed strong mentality. We kept clean sheets and scored goals in tough games.”
He praised the contributions of younger players like Sabobo, Miguel Chaiwa, and Obino, who rose to the occasion despite the pressure. “The balance in the team is excellent,” Grant noted, emphasizing the need for players to combine their talent with hard work to maintain their spots.
With his sights set on future development, Grant expressed pride in the team’s achievement, noting the progress made over the past decade. “The development is huge, and we need to continue this momentum,” he said, acknowledging the effort of both the players and his coaching staff in securing Zambia’s AFCON qualification.
Zambia will now look ahead to their upcoming AFCON campaign with renewed confidence, as they aim to continue their rise in African football.
