Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has challenged locally based players to prove they deserve to be in his final squad.
The gaffer began his preparations for the 2023 Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho with a 27-member squad of local players yesterday in Lusaka.
Speaking to journalists before the first training at the National Heroes Stadium, Grant revealed three things that will qualify players for a place in his final squad.
He also stated that he has told the local players to prove they deserve to play for the National team.
“I told them, they are the present and future of this country, so they need to prove themselves that they deserve it [to be included in the final squad].”
He added that “the door is open” for every eligible player to play for Zambia and that no one will be favorably treated regardless of where they ply their trade.
“Nobody has the advantage. The door is open for everybody,” said the former Chelsea and Ghana National Team coach.
Grant reveals three key requirements for players to make a cut in his final squad
The Chipolopolo coach revealed three things that players must have in order to be considered for his final squad.
“Any Zambian around the world, any Zambian in Zambia, the door is open, but they need to show three things: quality, passion, and the will to give everything for the country,” the coach flatly stated.
Grant is expected to announce his final squad before the end of this week.
He mentioned that his foreign-based players will join camp starting on March 20th, 2023.
The Chipolopolo Boys will host Lesotho at the Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in Ndola on March 23rd before traveling to South Africa for the return leg on March 26th.
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Zambia and Comoros both have 3 points, while the Ivory Coast has 4 points and tops Group H. Lesotho is at the bottom of the group with one point.
The Chipolopolo Boys are looking to return to the AFCON after missing the last three editions. The last time they took part, in 2015, they were eliminated at the group stage.
The vastly experienced manager will, however, bank on star players like Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Klings Kangwa, Lameck Banda, Frankie Musonda, to win his first match for Zambia.
