Zambia national team head coach Avram Grant says his side will try to contain Morocco in tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Chipolopolo comes up as overwhelming underdogs in tonight’s encounter against the continent’s best-ranked side, which boasts of a squad comprising stars playing in the best leagues around the world.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Agadir, Morocco, Thursday night, Grant said the Chipolopolo were well aware of the task that lies in their way tonight as well as the calibre of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists.
“We know what awaits us against a great international team that honored the African continent at the World Cup in Qatar. Indeed, the best team in Africa prepared, and we are not looking for prior excuses,” Grant said.
The former Chelsea and Ghana national team trainer added that the Chipolopolo needs to bring out their utmost effort to stifle the Atlas Lions’ attack.
“We will try to cause them some difficulties, which requires our players to exert the maximum effort and sweat they can against a team that has elements that practice at the highest levels in Europe.”
Grant said that his side will try to avoid defeat against the Moroccans, who will have the advantage of home support at the Stade de Adrar tonight.
“The Moroccan national team will benefit from the strong support of its fans. We faced them in AFCON and they defeated us, so what happened in Ivory Coast should not be repeated because the circumstances are different this time.”
“I do not have a preconception of what the match will be like. Rather, I am confident that they will put pressure and we will try to exploit the available spaces. In order to face a team the size of Morocco, you must be at the peak of readiness.” Grant said.
Chipolopolo last faced Morocco at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat as Hakim Ziyech scored in the second-half for the North African giants.
