CHAN Millions Lost Just “The Future is Bright” Fans Deserve Better
When Avram Grant signed as Zambia’s head coach in 2022, there was a sense of renewed hope. Fans believed his vast experience would shape the Chipolopolo into a trophy-winning side. But fast forward nearly three years, and the jury is still out.
By now, one would expect Coach Grant to know the Zambian players inside-out. Ideally, he should have built at least three competitive squads Team A, B, and C ready to take on Africa’s best. Instead, it feels as though we are still stuck in the “experimenting phase,” while our rivals are already lifting trophies and cashing in on the rewards.
The Missed Opportunity at CHAN 2024
Think about it: winning the CHAN 2024 title would have injected $3.5 million into our struggling economy. Even finishing as runners-up, like Madagascar might do, guarantees $1.2 million. That’s money that could boost football development and bring relief in a country where every dollar counts.
But what do we hear instead? “The future is bright.” Yes, exposing new talent is important, but the hard truth is this transfers mostly benefit clubs, agents, and a few individuals, not the wider nation. Winning tournaments, however, benefits everyone.
Ambition vs. Apologies
Zambian football doesn’t need apologetic targets like “we will expose players” or “the future is bright.” We need ambitious goals. Our people love football too much for mediocrity. Government, FAZ, and sponsors make huge sacrifices to take our team to tournaments. The least we can expect in return is a real fight for silverware.
The uncomfortable reality is that while Grant inspires players with motivational speeches and historic tales, he often leaves the actual work to his assistants. As former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel once said, “Grant hires people to do the job while he motivates.” That approach might work elsewhere, but in Zambia, we need more than just inspiration we need results.
The Price of Patience
Ordinarily, Grant should have been gone by now. But contractual obligations mean we are stuck with him until 2027, whether we like it or not. By then, five years will have passed under his leadership. The question is: will we have any trophies to show for it, or just more promises of a brighter future?
The Way Forward
Zambia needs a coach who truly understands:
• The passion of our people.
• The sacrifices made to send our team to tournaments.
• The urgency of winning, not just developing.
We need a coach who blends talent development with ambition, not one who plays the long game while opportunities slip away.
Until then, Zambian football risks stagnation. Unless there’s a shift either by Grant reinventing his approach or by new leadership taking charge the dream of consistent glory will remain just that: a dream.
