By Mubukwanu Kaingu
FASHION Sakala says Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has brought a whole new level of confidence and belief to the team since his appointment in his first year in charge.
Grant, who was appointed in December 2022, has successfully steered Zambia to the AFCON after an eight-year absence that saw them miss the last three successive tournaments.
He took over from Aljosa Asanovic who oversaw Chipolopolo’s opening two Group H qualifiers losing the first game 3-1 away to Ivory Coast and beating Comoros 2-1 at home.
Grant on the other hand went on to stay unbeaten in Group H with three successive wins and a draw with the highlight being a 3-0 win over Ivory Coast that saw Chipolopolo qualify for the 2023 AFCON with a match to spare.
Sakala told FAZ media at the team’s 2023 AFCON Group F base in San Pedro just 48 hours after arrival that the 10-day camp in Saudi Arabia was the perfect preparations to end their lengthy tournament exile.
“Since Grant joined to be fair a lot of things have changed. You can see the squad is not the same. He is like our mentor,” Sakala said.
“I don’t know the best words to use but you can see that the squad is motivated compared to the way the squad was before.
“We were in a situation we were not sure when we went into the game if we were going to win. It was like a 50-50 situation.”
Overall, Grant’s record in all his nine matches in charge has been five wins, two draws and two defeats.
“But now, since he came we are sure that we are going to win look at the way we killed Ivory Coast in Ndola and look at the way we killed Lesotho you know this is what Avram Grant has brought to the squad,” Sakala said.
“He is always talking about dedication and passion and hard work this is what has changed because each and every player is working extra.”
Sakala added that Grant’s philosophy has instilled a strong belief in every player to be hungry to play for Chipolopolo.
Meanwhile, Chipolopolo will mark their AFCON return this Wednesday at 22h00 Zambian when they face DR Congo in their opening Group F match in San Pedro.
The match will be preceded by the Morocco versus Tanzania match at 19h00 Zambian time.
