Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant lost his first match since his appointment in December 2022 after winning three of his last four with only one draw.

His unbeaten run with Zambia came to an end on Thursday night when his side lost 1-0 to Mohamed Salah-led Egypt in a friendly match played in Abu Dhabi.

The Chipolopolo played fairly in the first half, with Al Fayha striker Fashion Sakala going close to scoring when he had a one-on-one chance in the 19th minute as Al Ahly’s Mohamed El Shemawy denied him inside the box.

Red Star Belgrade midfielder Kings Kangwa also missed a free header from a Benedict Chepeshi cross in the box.

When the game appeared to be headed for a draw, Egypt scored in the fifth minute of injury time through Hamdi Fathi, who headed Zizo’s cross from the center of the box to win the match for the Pharaohs.

Grant made five late changes, replacing Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Lubambo Musonda, Kelvin Kapumbu, and Emmanuel Banda with Evans Kangwa, Edward Chilufya, Francisco Mwepu, Lary Bwalya, and Golden Mafweta, respectively.

Local based players impress Grant

The gaffer also started the match with four local-based players: goalkeeper Francis Mwansa, Benedict Chepeshi, and Dominic Chanda, both defenders, including Kelvin Kapumbu in the defensive midfielder’s position.

The former Chelsea and Ghana national team coach said the local players put up impressive performances against a star-studded Egypt despite playing in a less competitive league.

“We had a goalkeeper who was playing his first game in the national team; he did very well, Francis,” Grant said. “The local players did well, even though the [Zambian] league is not like the league in Europe, let’s be honest.”

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Despite the many changes, Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chama did not play a single minute, raising concerns among fans about the Tanzanian-based player’s continued benching.

In response, Grant has said, “Fans always ask about players who don’t play; I speak about players that play.

“But in this case, Chama even didn’t train; he came in only in the last training. We are concentrated on players that played; we are happy that we have a good bench also.”

Zambia’s next match will be against Uganda on Tuesday next week in another friendly match.