Avram Grant has stepped down as coach of the Zambia national soccer team, just eight weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His departure comes after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, during which Zambia failed to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Grant expressed pride in leaving the team in a better position than when he took over. However, his tenure was marked by a string of poor results, including three consecutive home defeats in World Cup qualifying matches against Comoros, Morocco, and Niger, without scoring a single goal.
Under Grant’s guidance, Zambia qualified for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, although the team failed to advance to the knockout phase in the last edition held in Ivory Coast. Zambia is set to face Morocco and Comoros again in its AFCON group, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on December 21.
The Zambia football federation has not yet announced a replacement for Grant, who coached the team for nearly three years. Grant’s experience in African football is notable, having previously coached the national teams of Ghana and Israel, as well as English Premier League club Chelsea.
Zambia’s football history is highlighted by its 2012 African championship title, but the team has yet to participate in a men’s World Cup. The country’s football fans will be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes under new leadership. With the Africa Cup of Nations looming, the federation’s next move will be closely watched as Zambia seeks to regain its footing on the continental stage.
