Avram Grant has said he was compelled to select 55 players in his provisional squad due to CAF requirements, but those who made it into his 30-man squad all have a chance to make his final team for AfCON.

The coach was responding to a public outcry that some of the players had been dropped before even arriving at the camp in Lusaka.

“We were forced by CAF to give a 55-member provisional squad, so we did what was by the rules and chose the 30 players that we have today.

“From these players, we will choose the final squad, including those who are not here, like Patson Daka,” he said.

Grant praises well-behaved Daka

Grant has challenged Chipolopolo players to learn from Daka ‘s off-the-pitch behavior if they are to thrive.

He has praised the England-based striker for his recent form at Leicester City, where he has scored four goals in four games.

“His behavior off the pitch is an example for young players. An example for players here who sometimes don’t know how to deal with the bench. We saw that many players now in Europe are not playing for their teams; I don’t know how they train. I spoke to their coaches but this is internal information.

“Patson is an example because he didn’t play. One month ago, he was not even in the squad and I have all the information about how it went and how much he ran [trained]. He ran extra than everybody else, so when they gave him the chance, he did what he knows to do. I hope and am sure that he will continue like this.”

The Chipolopolo Boys entered camp yesterday in Lusaka. They will next travel to Saudi Arabia, where they will play a friendly match against Cameroon before flying to San Pedro in Ivory Coast. 

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Grant is expected to announce his final squad for the AfCON this weekend.

The Chipolopolo Boys will open their AfCON campaign on January 17, 2024, against the DR Congo.

They are in Group F, along with Morocco, Tanzania, and the DR Congo.