Former Zambian striker Given Singuluma has backed Avram Grant’s statement on using the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a platform to create career pathways for local players.
The CHAN tournament will run from August 2–30 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Zambia has been drawn in Group A alongside Angola, DR Congo, Morocco, and hosts Kenya.
The Chipolopolo Boys will begin their campaign on August 7 against two-time champions DR Congo, before facing Angola three days later.
On August 14, Grant’s side will take on another two-time winner, Morocco, and will conclude their group stage fixtures three days later with a match against the Harambee Stars.
Singulama backs Grant
Grant expressed hope that the competition could offer more players a chance to break into bigger leagues in Europe.
“We don’t have many players in Europe. I hope that we will have more through even this competition. Because there are good players in Zambia, but they need to be polished and developed,” Grant said.
Meanwhile, Singuluma—who holds the record for scoring the most goals (5) for Zambia at the tournament—believes CHAN will open doors for many local talents.
Singuluma won the inaugural Golden Boot at the 2009 edition of the tournament, famously scoring the first-ever CHAN hat-trick in Zambia’s 3-0 win over Ivory Coast.
“The players that will be picked have to believe in themselves, have a strong mentality and character, and be mindful of the fact that African football has improved,” he stated.
“We will need to go to CHAN, do well and win it. When I finished as top scorer of the inaugural CHAN, I went abroad after the tournament…..But the players have to put the target of the team ahead of their personal goals and ambitions. The CHAN is a major tournament watched by scouts.”
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