Zambia head coach Avram Grant expressed his satisfaction after the Chipolopolo Boys battled to a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tanzania in Wednesday’s FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier in Zanzibar. Despite admitting it was not one of their best performances, the Israeli tactician praised his players for their determination and resilience, which earned them a crucial win away from home.
Grant Praises Team Effort in Zanzibar Win
Speaking after the game, Grant acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, commending Tanzania for putting up a strong fight. He described the Taifa Stars as a well-organized side that made life tough for his team throughout the match. “Tough match, Tanzania played very well, there was a fight, they passed the ball, it caused a lot of difficulties but we managed to deal with it and I think we deserve the win,” said Grant.
The Chipolopolo coach applauded his players’ effort and mentality, particularly their response after a challenging first half. “The players gave everything and it was good to win again because after five games before we lost once and we want to go back to the track. It’s not easy to win away but I’m happy for the win,” he added.
Focus Shifts to Niger Clash in Ndola
Grant emphasized that his team must now shift focus to Sunday’s upcoming qualifier against Niger at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, a game that could determine their final standing in Group E. Zambia currently sits third with nine points, behind Niger on twelve and Tanzania on ten. “The second place, so for this we need to play Niger, if we win against them probably we will be in front of them, we’ll be in second place,” Grant said.
He also reflected on the team’s steady progress since his arrival, describing the journey as a process of continuous improvement. “In Zambia it’s a process since I came; we’re always improving and one of the points is we need to want to win all the games,” he added, highlighting the importance of building consistency ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations.
Grant on Tactical Adjustments and Performance
The former Chelsea and West Ham United boss revealed that he was not fully pleased with the team’s first-half display, particularly their ball movement and transitions. “I think first half I was not so happy from the performance, we didn’t manage to pass the ball like we want to pass the ball quickly forward,” he admitted. Grant, however, credited Tanzania for pressing aggressively and denying Zambia space to exploit their attacking pace.
To address the issue, Grant switched formations from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half, a move that helped the team control possession and create more chances. “In second half we changed the system, for from 4-3-3 we played with two strikers and the striker behind like 4-2-3-1 and I think it was, for this game, it was better for us,” he said. The tactical shift eventually paid off when Fashion Sakala scored the winning goal from Lubambo Musonda’s pinpoint cross.
Grant on African Football’s Potential
Grant also took time to reflect on African football’s broader landscape, stating that the continent possesses immense talent and passion but still needs to improve organization and tactical understanding. “Africa has a lot of passion, good players, athletic players, and everything, but we can learn from Europe about organization and tactics,” Grant explained.
He confidently suggested that with the right structural improvements, African teams could consistently reach the World Cup semifinals. “If they will do three, four things, I can guarantee that every World Cup one African team will be in the semi-final,” Grant asserted, revealing that he has shared his vision with CAF officials.
Conclusion
Avram Grant’s reflections highlighted both satisfaction and ambition — satisfaction with the three points earned in Zanzibar, and ambition to see Zambia grow into a consistently dominant force in African football. With the focus now on Sunday’s crucial tie against Niger, the Chipolopolo Boys will look to build on their momentum and keep their World Cup dream alive.
