Former Ghana coach Avram Grant has made a return to African football after being unveiled as the new boss of the Zambia senior national team on Thursday.
Grant led the Black Stars to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and a last-four place in the next edition in 2017 before quitting afterward.
The ex-Chelsea manager moved on to take up the role of technical advisor at Indian Super League side NorthEast United at the start of 2018 and has since been unattached after leaving a year later.
In picking a replacement for departed Croatian coach Aljosa Asanovic, the Football Association of Zambia chose 67-year-old Grant over locals Honor Janza and Wedson Nyirenda.
The Israeli was officially unveiled in a ceremony at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Thursday, December 2022.
Avram Grant signed to guide the Chipolopolos on a two-year deal with a renewal condition.
Per his contract, Grant is allowed to come with one assistant and the rest of the technical team will be composed of Zambians chosen by him.
“This is my first time in Zambia. I came here as a football coach. I think Zambia has the potential; we (need to) set the target of what we want to achieve and I want to thank the president Andrew (Kamanga) and the (selection) Committee for choosing me and giving me the opportunity to share my experience and take Zambian football forward which I think Zambia deserves,” he commented at his unveiling presser.
Asked if he had other offers and why he chose to pursue the Zambia job, Grant responded:
“Yes, there was an offer, but I was looking for the right challenge. I think the challenge here is big and the potential here is big as well.
“I am a man of challenges and this is the reason that I chose Zambia and Zambia also chose me. I will say thank you for choosing me.
“You see the young national team of Zambia (is) improving a lot and I think this is the best (time) for building something good for the present and the future and it is things that I want to do.”
Avram Grant’s immediate challenge
Zambia have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) – 2017, 2019 and 2021.
In the qualifiers for the 2023 edition, the Chipolopolos have three points from two games against Cote d’Ivoire and Comoros.
The 2012 Afcon champions continue in March 2023 with back-to-back games against Lesotho with Avram Grant in charge.
