Zambia vice-captain Rodrick Kabwe has revealed Chipolopolo’s expectations at the 2023 CAF AFCON tournament under the tutelage of former Chelsea boss, Avram Grant.
The tournament officially roared to life on Saturday night, 13 January, when the hosts Ivory Coast defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
Grant was named as the new coach of Zambia on 22 December 2022, with a mandate of qualifying for Africa’s showpiece.
Kabwe, who plays for Zakho SC in Iraq, reckons that with the guidance of coach Grant, Zambia stands a chance to win the AFCON competition this year.
The Israeli professional football manager comes in highly-rated, having coached teams such as Chelsea, Portsmouth, and West Ham United in the English Premier League.
Grant is not a stranger to coaching an African nation, as he previously coached Ghana to an AFCON appearance before. He was at the helm of the Black Stars between 2014 and 2017.
Zambia assembled for camp in Saudi Arabia before heading to Ivory Coast.
With Kabwe keen to win the AFCON under coach Grant, he stated that expectations are high going into the tournament.
Chipolopolo last won the tournament back in 2012, and Kabwe is confident of a better show this time around, especially under the leadership of coach Grant
RODRICK KABWE ON ZAMBIA’S EXPECTATIONS UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF AVRAM GRANT
“Of course, expectations of Zambia under the coach Avram Grant is for us to go there and compete. Not just to go there to add numbers or be participates,” Kabwe told FARPost.
“As every other nation stands a chance of winning, so is Zambia. You know Avram Grant is a big coach. He has coached in Europe and big nations like Ghana here in Africa.
“So, he’s not a coach who lacks experience of coaching an African nation before. Hopefully, what we have been working on here in Saudi Arabia will help us to do well in the AFCON.”
Zambia are pitted in Group F alongside DR Congo, Morocco, and Tanzania.
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