ZAMBIA National Team coach Avram Grant says he is happy to see the Chipolopolo improving in every game after securing qualification for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Group G winners following consecutive wins over Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
Zambia defeated Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone 1-0 and 2-0 respectively to finish the qualifiers with 13 points, one point ahead of the African champions, who finished in second position with 12 points.
Grant said he was happy that the Chipolopolo kept four clean sheets to qualify as the best team in Group G.
The Israeli said Zambia had to fight for a win in the last match to show its professionalism as a competitor.
“Our target was to show that we are professionals and even if we already qualified, we wanted to finish the qualifiers like professionals and improve our game. It was a good game against Sierra Leone with two goals scored. We could have scored more and as said, we finished with four clean sheets which is very important for us because before we would concede goals in almost every game but we learned from our mistakes,” said Grant.
“It makes me happy because the team is improving in all aspects. We started the qualifiers with defeat but we improved and the last two games were fantastic. The team is improving every time though we have areas where we need to improve more but it is a good base for the future”.
Meanwhile, midfielder Kings Kangwa said the Chipolopolo must not relax after qualifying for the AFCON.
“The most important things is that when we go back to our clubs, we need to continue working hard. As we go back to our clubs we need to work hard to be ready for the AFCON. A big shout out to the fans, they really helped us in this qualification. A big thanks to them. We want them to continue giving us the support and we will continue to do our best,” said Kangwa.
Defender Frankie Musonda said qualifying for back-to-back AFCON finals was a great achievement for Zambia and for him as a player.
“It has been great being part of the team that has qualified twice for the AFCON. It is an amazing achievement for myself in my career and for the country. We are back where we belong. It is good to get that consistence and I feel great to be part of it,” Musonda said.
The Scotland based defender said Zambia was capable of competing at the AFCON after gaining some experience from the 2023 edition held in Ivory Coast.
“We have beaten great oppositions and we have shown what we are capable of doing. To beat the African champions again, not for the first time is really impressive and also how we have gone about our business after losing the first game, we showed quality and consistence throughout,” he said.
“We have a great team. We know the last AFCON was a good experience for all of us but we want to be better and get further at the competition. We have all learned from our experience, we are growing and moving in the right direction. We have players who have joined the team and they have shown what they can do and we still have a lot of players coming back to the squad so I believe the country is in a good shape and I’m so fortunate and lucky to part of the team”.
Musonda hailed Chipolopolo fans for their support as the team sought to qualify for the AFCON finals.
“To be able to represent over 20 million Zambians and have the support is an incredible feeling and we don’t take it for granted,” said Musonda.
