Africa

Africa: Afcon 2023 Preview – Zambia’s Chipolopolo First Appearance in Eight Years

todayJanuary 10, 2024 2

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Chipolopolo makes a return to the AFCON under Avram Grant and has set sights on moving past the group stage and possibly winning the tournament.

Zambia made history on the continent when it defeated a star-studded Ivorian side to win the 2012 AFCON. The team was led by the Katongo brothers, Christopher and Felix.

11 years after the win, Zambian football has struggled, with the team crashing out in the group stage in the 2013 and 2015 editions, while it has failed to qualify for the last three editions.

Chipolopolo makes a return to the AFCON under Avram Grant and has set sights on moving past the group stage and possibly winning the tournament.

Zambia have been drawn into a group alongside one of the tournament’s favourites, Morocco, Tanzania, and the DR Congo.

Coach

Avram Grant is a popular figure among English football fans after previously coaching Chelsea FC, West Ham United, and Portsmouth.

The 68-year-old is also no stranger to African football and the AFCON, having led Ghana to two AFCON tournaments in 2015 and 2017, finishing as runners-up and in fourth place, respectively.

Grant achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying the team for its first AFCON in eight years, and his experience coaching top sides around the world would be needed if Zambia were to pull off a surprise in Ivory Coast.

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