Czech Republic-based Chipolopolo midfielder, Golden Mafwenta has praised Avram Grant, saying he has helped the Chipolopolo improve since his appointment as head coach.
Grant was appointed in December of last year, and in six competitive matches since then, he has only lost one.
His first competitive defeat came last Tuesday against Niger on match day two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a result that drew criticism from fans.
The defeat was after an impressive 4-2 comeback win over Congo Brazzaville at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Mafwenta confident Chipolopolo will come back stronger
Mwafenta, who plays for MFK Vykov in the Czech Republic, told BolaNews exclusively that the team has improved remarkably since Grant’s arrival.
“With the Chipolopolo Boys, we are trying our level best to get there because, if you can see from our previous games, we were not doing well so as you can see now, since the moment Coach Avram Grant came, we have been improving each and every game.
“It doesn’t mean if we fall today, we can’t rise again tomorrow,” said the former Zanaco defender.
“So we will just continue pushing as we look forward to the upcoming AFCON tournament.”
Mwafenta, who made his Chipolopolo debut against Tanzania at the CHAN tournament in Cameroon in 2021, has become a regular call-up for Grant’s squad.
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder has featured in 15 matches this season for his club and has helped the team secure top position with 34 points from 16 matches played so far in the
Mwafenta featured in both matches for the Chipolopolo against Congo Brazzaville and Niger respectively and will be hoping he will be named in the final squad that will travel to Ivory Coast for the Afcon tournament.