By Mubukwanu Kaingu
AVRAM Grant has conceded there is a need to seriously address Chipolopolo Zambia’s vulnerability to conceding goals after taking a lead in matches.
Last Tuesday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Chipolopolo was pegged back twice by Sierra Leones to go two-all into the final 10 minutes of the 2025 AFCON qualifying game.
It took an 84th minute free-kick from midfielder Kings Kangwa to see Zambia clinch a 3-2 victory and collect their first competitive win in seven games dating back to November 2023 against Congo-Brazzaville.
Ironically, Zambia’s 4-2 win over Congo-Brazzaville at the same venue was also characterised by a similar scenario.
“I am not happy that we conceded two goals completely, not happy at all,” Grant said.
“I think that it is not good for us especially since it’s from less chances from the other team. I don’t think they had any other chances apart from those two.
“We need to work a bit harder and pay attention to this. I am not happy about this.
“We spoke about mentality and before I came to Zambia people said to me that this is the problem
However, Grant pointed out another positive outcome from the game apart from Chipolopolo recording their first 3 points of the 2025 AFCON group G qualifiers.
“But the last two game players show in the last two some great mentality today it was not easy,” Grant said.
“But we scored three goals without our main striker (Patson Daka) and I am happy about this.”
Daka missed September’s Group G qualifier assignments following surgery on his knee that will see him sidelined for a lengthy recovery spell.
Meanwhile, after two rounds of matches played in the Group C qualifiers, Chipolopolo is second with 3 points, Ivory Coast leads with a maximum 6 points.
Chad is third on 1 point, tied with bottom-placed Sierra Leone.
