Chipolopolo boys have enough experience, according to former Zambia National Team coach Patrick Phiri, to compete against teams like Morocco and Senegal.
In 2002 and 2006, Phiri served as the Chipolopolo boys’ coach. He led Zambia to 2004 AfCON in Ghana during his second term, from 2006 to 2008.
However, following Zambia’s early elimination from the 2008 African Cup of Nations, French men, Herve Renard took his position. Renard led Zambia to their maiden AfCON trophy in 2012.
At the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in November 2024, Zambia defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Phiri highlighted things that coach Avram Grant, must accomplish in order to guarantee the team’s success at the AfCON in Morocco the next year.
“The technical bench needs to prepare the boys to be fit for the tournament, there is a difference between being fit for the qualifiers and the tournament, that must be the priority of the technical bench ahead of the AfCON,” Phiri told SportsBoom.com.
When asked if the 2012 African champions Zambia have a chance to win the 2025 title, Phiri, who led the U20 Zambian side to the 1999 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria said the Chipolopolo boys are a strong contender.
“Always Aim Beyond Group Stage” – Phiri.
“Zambia is a football nation, each given moment, we have the arsenal to deliver for the nation. All teams that have qualified to the tournament have a chance to win the AfCON. Statistics and rankings are not a guarantee for a successful outing. Look at what is happening to Manchester City, they have endured a period of poor results most recently.
“What differentiates the winner from losers is the conviction to win. There is no need to limit your progression at the tournament like the AfCON, always aim beyond the group stage.”
He said that Zambia exited at the group stage during the last edition of AfCON in Ivory Coast, due to lack of experience. “We didn’t have experience in the team, but we didn’t leave the tournament, empty handed, we came back with knowledge which we have applied to get back to the AfCON on two consecutive times” He called for the deployment of multiple tactics as the team will be preparing for the 2025 AfCON.
“You need a couple of tactics, you need plan A, B and C in order to be competitive, you cannot go to a tournament like AfCON with one style of play, you need a couple of those, and your players need to be fast to adapt to new formations”
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