The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has explained why the Chipolopolo Boys will not play a friendly match ahead of the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Lesotho.

According to FAZ president Andrew Kamanga in his ‘President’s corner’ weekly column, this is due to the fact that there is no FIFA window.

“Ideally we would have had an international friendly match,” Kamanga said. “but unfortunately there is no window which would make it impossible to have the players before the requisite FIFA sanctioned period.”

“This could be the downside of having most players in the team plying their trade outside. Ultimately, we stand to benefit from their quality when the international window opens.”

The FAZ supremo added that Chipolopolo head coach Avram Grant has been doing so much in the background.

“The technical bench led by Avram Grant has been doing a lot of work in the background. That gives us confidence that we will turn out good during the crucial assignments,” he stated.

Who will make it in Grant’s squad?

Recently, Avram Grant was in Europe to assess players and is expected to name his maiden squad soon.

The team is expected to enter camp after the quarterfinals of the 2023 ABSA Cup to be played this weekend.

Italy-based winger Lameck Banda is the only player whose club, Lecce confirmed Grant has summoned for the Lesotho match.

The vastly experienced former Chelsea FC manager will bank on star players like Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Klings Kangwa, Frankie Musonda, etc. to win his first match for Zambia.

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Zambia and Comoros both have 3 points, while the Ivory Coast has 4 points and tops the group. Lesotho is at the bottom of the group with one point.

Grant’s first match with Zambia is set for Levy Mwanawansa stadium in Ndola on 23rd March 2023.