Ex-Chelsea coach Avram Grant insists he is Chipolopolo’s messiah

Former Chelsea mentor and new Chipolopolo Zambia coach Avram Grant insists he has made the right choice by taking up the job as boss of the struggling 2012 AFCON champions.

The Israeli is the fourth foreign-born coach Zambia has hired over the last six years in a period   Chipolopolo has failed to qualify for an unprecedented three straight AFCON.

AVRAM GRANT RECEIVED LOTS OF OFFERS

“I received a lot of offers before coming here, but I was looking for the right challenge,” the 67-year-old Grant told the media at his unveiling in Lusaka on December 22.

“In my 50 years of experience, there has never been a day that I have known that doesn’t come with pressure.

“I love this pressure. I love coaching and getting results and taking teams forward.”

Grant came top of a final three-man shortlist that included two former Chipolopolo, namely coaches Honour Janza and Wedson Nyirenda.

He takes over from Croat Aljosa Asanovic, who quit barely six months into his appointment following a pay dispute with the Football Association of Zambia.

This is Grant’s second job in Africa after coaching The Black Stars Ghana from 2014 to 2017.

The former Chelsea and Portsmouth coach’s last stop was at Indian Premiership club NorthEast United.

STILL LEARNING

“I know about African football, having worked in Africa and have watched Zambian football. I know a lot but also still learning,” Grant said.

“You have quick players, but what’s important is to use a system that is good for the team.”

Grant’s first official match will be a 2013 AFCON Group H qualifier doubleheader against Lesotho in March that will see Chipolopolo host the latter in the first leg.

Chipolopolo is second in Group with 3 points, while Cote d’Ivoire lead with a maximum of 6 points after two rounds of matches played.

Lesotho is bottom with 1 point while Comoros are tied on 3 points with Zambia.

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