Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant says he has a long list of players who perform well for the national team but end up benched at their clubs — a situation he described as strange.
This was not the first time the Chipolopolo coach addressed the issue. In 2023, he explained that he was inconsistent with goalkeeper call-ups because most of the keepers he selected were not playing regularly at their clubs.
When asked if his complaint remains a problem affecting his team selections, Grant said it is not a complaint, but a fact.
“It was a little bit strange that everytime a player that is good in the national team, he’s not playing for his club. Like Charles Kalumba who got the chance against Kenya was fantastic, and then he didn’t play for his club. Also, Kepson, who was the best player in [the friendly against] Malawi, didn’t play for three months, but before that he was playing. And I can tell you a list. It’s not about complaining its a fact,” Grant told BolaNews at Football House last Saturday.
He added, “And as I said, I’m sure that the coaches are thinking about what is good for the club. Yes. You don’t need to think about the national team. I also see what is good for the club because I know that if the club is really good, it’s good for the national team.”
It’s strange- Grant
Grant clarified that it is not a problem for his technical bench, just unusual.
“It was not a problem. I cannot say that it was a problem, but it was strange. We will deal with any problem, but it was a little bit strange.”
Grant has not won a single match in 2025 and will be looking to bounce back with the Chipolopolo Boys when they face Tanzania tomorrow in the World Cup qualifiers, before hosting Niger on Sunday in Ndola.
Zambia currently sits fourth in Group E with six points and must win both remaining games to have a chance of finishing second and qualifying for the playoffs. Tanzania have 10 points, Niger 9, while Morocco, who have already secured the top spot, lead with 21 points. Congo Brazzaville are at the bottom, while Eritrea withdrew, leaving the group with just five teams.
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