Zambia national team coach Avram Grant has rated Chipolopolo’s 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast last night as the best yet so far in his coaching career.
Chipolopolo rallied to an important win over the reigning African champions in front of a packed Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to secure qualification for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
A second-half goal by Kennedy Musonda in the 53rd minute was enough for the Israeli gaffer’s charges to beat the Elephants who had already qualified for the AFCON prior to Friday night’s encounter.
Speaking to journalists after his side’s important victory, Grant expressed delight at securing victory over the Elephants despite having a depleted squad with a number of key players out due to injuries.
“After 51 years of coaching this is the best victory ever. Beating the African champions with all the difficulties we faced with our players injured and I am very happy,” Grant said.
Meanwhile, FAZ President Andrew Kamanga has congratulated the Chipolopolo for achieving back-to-back AFCON qualifications for the first time in nine years as well as becoming the latest national team to clinch their place at an international competition.
“On behalf of the executive and the entire football family, I wish to congratulate the Chipolopolo for their victory against African champions and qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Kamanga.
He continued: “Qualification for the Chipolopolo to the AFCON adds to the growing list of teams already qualified for international tournaments like our Under-20 Men’s National Team and senior Women’s National Team which is a standard we have set for ourselves.”
Zambia shot to the summit of Group G with 10 points after their victory over Ivory Coast and will next face Sierra Leone on Tuesday in the Monrovia, Liberia to wrap up their AFCON qualification campaign.
