Avram Grant, Zambia’s national team coach, has announced his squad for the four-nation tournament, which will take place in Lilongwe from March 18 to 26 and will include hosts Malawi, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
The 24-member squad is missing some notable players from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the Chipolopolo were eliminated in the group stage after losing 1-0 to Morocco and drawing 1-1 with DR Congo and Tanzania.
Those left out include Saudi Arabia-based striker Fashion Sakala, midfielder Kings Kangwa, Edward Chilufya, who recently returned from injury at BK Hacken, Rodrick Kabwe, Kelvin Kampamba, Kelvin Kapumbu, Thandi Mwape, Golden Mafwenta, Larry Bwalya, and goalkeeper Francis Mwansa.
It is understood that some players, such as Kampamba, have requested to be excused, whereas others have been dropped due to a drop in form.
“I don’t speak about players who are not in the squad,” Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant said when asked to explain the reasons for the exclusions during a press conference at Football House in Lusaka on Monday.
Grant went on to say, “I always respect the players in the squad. There will always be questions about players who aren’t on the squad. There are players from the Africa Cup of Nations who are not on the squad; yes, we need to give them a lot of respect; they took us to the AFCON after nine years; they did well but I want to try other things and other players.”
Grant tells players to prove themselves
The Israeli trainer also urged the chosen players to prove why they deserved to be on the team.
“The players that are in the squad also need to prove themselves. Like I said, the national team is not a closed club; you can go out of the national team and you can also come back,” stated the former Chelsea FC manager.
On facing Malawi, Kenya, and Zimbabwe ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Morocco in June, the gaffer says it will be a good test for the Chipolopolo.
“I don’t have a choice; I prefer to play against Brazil and Argentina,” he said jokingly. ” But teams in Africa are improving a lot. You see what is happening in Tanzania, Kenya, and others, I think it’s going to be a good tournament and a good test. Football in Africa is moving forward, there is no easy team anymore.
The four-nation tournament will be used as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in June.
Morocco will host Zambia on June 5, 2024, before Tanzania travels to Ndola for Chipolopolo’s second match on the 8th.
Zambia is sitting second in Group E of the qualifiers with three points from two matches, while Morocco is at the top with the same points after playing just one match.
Tanzania, Congo Brazzaville, and Niger round out the group, and only one team will qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed team will advance to the playoffs depending on the results from other groups.
READ MORE: Why Chipolopolo’s World Cup qualification is in their own hands after disappointing Afcon
