Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant expressed optimism for his team’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification, despite a frustrating goalless draw against Chad in Friday’s Group G match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
In a post-match interview, Grant described Chad’s play as “brutal” and overly defensive. He noted that injuries significantly impacted the match, particularly after Miguel Chaiwa was forced off in the 25th minute following a foul by Eric Mbangoussoum. Goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga also left the field on a stretcher in the second half.
“Chad played very physically, and I felt the referee allowed too much aggression. I warned him at halftime that an injury was likely, and unfortunately, it happened with Lawrence,” Grant said. He added that Chaiwa’s incident warranted a red card, emphasizing the need for more careful officiating.
Despite the challenges, Grant remained hopeful about Zambia’s chances for qualification, with three matches still to play. “I believe in being positive. We’ve faced significant setbacks, losing key players, yet we performed well. This encourages me that we can succeed,” he said.
Zambia currently holds second place in Group G with four points, trailing leaders Côte d’Ivoire, who secured nine points after defeating Sierra Leone. Chad now sits third with two points, while Sierra Leone remains at the bottom with one point.
The Chipolopolo will face Chad again on Tuesday in Yaoundé for the reverse fixture, while Côte d’Ivoire will take on Sierra Leone in Monrovia.