Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over a stubborn Chad gave Zambia their second win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) qualifiers.
A second-half goal from Kennedy Musonda in the 70th minute and a crucial penalty save from Toaster Nsabata six minutes before full time was all the Chipolopolo needed to maintain their second place in Group G.
Coach Avram Grant said after the game that, despite missing some of his key players, his team won and it was the most enjoyable victory with Zambia.
“I am very happy. This victory is one of the most enjoyable victories that we had because of the circumstances we played,” the Israeli gaffer told a post-match press conference. “ Now I can say, I didn’t want to say this before; we played without eight of our starting eleven players. Most of them were injured in the last two weeks in their clubs. So to play like this and keep the harmony and the atmosphere and the organization so well, like we did today, I am very happy.”
While Miguel Chaiwa, Stopilla Sunzu, Lameck Banda, Edward Chilufya, Lubambo Musonda, and goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenge were all sidelined with various injuries, Zambia was without their star striker Patson Daka of Leicester City, who is still recuperating from ankle surgery.
‘We deserve to qualify’ – Grant
The Chipolopolo Boys are second in Group G with 7 points, trailing leaders Ivory Coast, who have 9 points, while Sierra Leone is third with four points after shockingly beating the Elephants 1-0 last night. Chad is last with two points.
Grant’s side will host Ivory Coast on November 11 before finishing the qualifiers away to Sierra Leone four days later. They need at least four points from the remaining two games to secure qualification.
“I think we’re in a good position, but still we have two games to go and we need to finish it and reach our target to be in Africa [qualify for AfCON] for the second time [in a row] because I think we deserve to be there,” said Grant.
