By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Avran Grant says Chipolopolo is optimistic about their opening game against Congo Brazzaville this Friday but warned that they will be highs and lows in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chipolopolo hosts Congo Brazzaville in their opening Group E qualifier on November 17 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola as Zambia starts its quest to end its elusive dream to go to the FIFA World Cup since playing first in the 1970 qualifiers 55 years ago.
Grant said during his pre-camp media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that they intend to give Group E favourite The Atlas Lions a good run for their money in the race for that lone qualification ticket.
Niger, Tanzania and 2022 World Cup semifinalist Morocco are in Group E that has been cut to four teams’ following Eritrea’s withdraw from the race to USA/Canada/Mexico 2026.
Chipolopolo enter camp in Ndola today but already Grant has injuries concerns likely to mount as a couple of more call-ups from the 25-member team he named last week limp into camp.
Grant also aired his concern about playing back-to-back away games in Morocco on November 21 against Niger and next June against The Atlas Lions.
Niger will host Chipolopolo in Marrakech because they have no FIFA certified venues back home in Niamey.
“Nothing will be decided on the first game even if we win,” Grant said.
“It will be a long journey. No team will win all the games, I can assure you this. Not even us or Morocco.
“As I promised in the beginning we shall do our best and we start this week’s game against Niger and Congo Brazzaville.”
Morocco will be on a brief holiday this week after guest Eritrea withdrew from the race but The Atlas Lions will be away to Tanzania next week in Dar es Salaam on match day two.
And Grant added his voice to Niger not hosting them at a neutral venue with the latter playing there twice after hosting Tanzania first this week.
“Not fair home. (They needed) home ground not connected to our group.(But) we shall play anyway even though we are not happy,” Grant said.
Meanwhile, Zambia head into their opening two Group E matches without defender Frankie Musonda of Ayr United in Scotland and Zesco United midfielder Kelvin Kapumbu both due to injury.
Ex TP Mazembe defender Tandi Mwape is also still clubless and overlooked for the assignments.
“Frankie Musonda is injured and Kapumbu. On top of it probably Evans (Kangwa) and Lubambo (Musonda) we don’t know yet if they are 100 percent fit,” Grant said.
