While Zambia’s coach Avram Grant has told his players to aim for nothing but a win tomorrow against Tanzania following their 2-1 loss in Morocco on Friday, the Taifa Stars’ coach Hemed Suleiman has made a daring statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier slated for Levy Mwanawansa Stadium in Ndola.
Grant whose Chipolopolo Boys are winless in their last four competitive games, said: “We know it is a very important game for us because we want to stay in the picture against a very good opponent [Tanzania]. You saw what they did at AFCON against us and against Congo, including in the qualifiers.
“They played well with a lot of intensity but we need to think about us and we want to win this game.”
However, Suleiman told a pre-match press conference in Ndola that he respects Zambia but is optimistic about getting a vital win tomorrow.
“The game will be tough but we have come here to win the game. We respect Zambia, they have a good manager and players but we are ready and we shall get a result tomorrow.”
Zambia and Tanzania last met in the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in January, with the match ending 1-1.
The two have three points each and are ranked second and fourth in Group E, which is led by Morocco with six points after two matches.
Niger has three points and is in third place, while Congo Brazzaville is at the bottom of the group with no points, having played only one game.
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