Avram Grant Stresses Importance of Tanzania Match for Chipolopolo’s AFCON Campaign
Avram Grant Stresses Importance of Tanzania Match for Chipolopolo’s AFCON Campaign
Avram Grant, the coach of Zambia’s national football team, has emphasized the significance of the upcoming match against Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Speaking during a pre-match conference, Grant expressed his satisfaction with the team’s resilience in the opening match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Grant acknowledged the strength of DR Congo and commended his squad for their performance in the first game. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the next match against Tanzania, stating that in football, the most crucial thing is the next game.
Reflecting on Zambia’s absence from AFCON for an extended period, Grant expressed the determination to make a mark in the tournament, emphasizing the significance of the second game in achieving their goal of progressing to the next round.
Regarding Tanzania, Grant recognized them as a strong side, citing their good performance against Morocco despite a 3-0 loss due to a red card. He expressed his impression of Tanzania’s resilience, describing them as a team that is hard to beat.
Grant commented on the recent change in Tanzania‘s coaching staff, with an interim coach taking charge after the opening match. He stated that the coaching change would not impact the match and emphasized the need for his team to be prepared for various scenarios.
Addressing the evolving landscape of African football, Grant noted that the gap between traditional powerhouses and smaller teams has reduced. He highlighted the increased competitiveness in contemporary football.
Zambia is set to face Tanzania on Sunday at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, with the kickoff scheduled for 19:00 hours (Zambian time). Following the 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Zambia aims to secure a positive result against Tanzania to enhance their chances of progressing in the tournament.
