Brutal CHAN tournament for Avram Grant as Zambia go home empty

Grant is arguably one of the most experienced coaches in the competition, but has bowed out the competition a crestfallen man after losing all his Group A matches in Nairobi.

Grant, 70, has managed top clubs in Europe, his highlight being coaching English side Chelsea between 2007 and 2008, before coaching another top English side West Ham United – between 2010 and 2011.

The Israeli has also coached regular Uefa Champions League competitors Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa of Israel and Partizan Belgrade of Serbia. 

Grant also boasts of coaching the Israel national team between 2002 and 2006, and four-time African champions Ghana, between 2014 and 2017. And, from 2022 to date, he has been sharpening the Copper Bullets of Zambia, better known as Chipolopolo, whose forgettable CHAN tournament in Nairobi could as well end his stay in Lusaka.

Indeed, this tournament has exacerbated Grant’s problems, after a poor show in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group E, where he has only managed six points out of possible 15, leaving Zambia at third – nine points behind runaway leaders Morocco.

In CHAN 2024, losses to Congo DR, Angola and Morocco had already sealed Grant’s Zambia fate before the duel against Kenya at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday, but he wanted something - a consolation.

It was not happen! At exactly 74th minute, Tusker FC hitman Ryan Wesly Rabok Ogam’s low drive from within the box broke the deadlock which had given Grant hopes of at least a draw, throwing Kenyan fans into delirium - much to the chagrin of the few Zambians who were at the Stadium.

As the sporty cacophony generated by Kenyans after Ogam’s goal faded, so did Grant’s optimism turn into disillusionment, slowly scratching his smooth bald, perhaps in a difficult calculation of the next move.

His opposite number Benni McCarthy’s changes in the starting lineup did not save Grant the embarrassment, although he was encouraged to have ended the first stanza in a barren stalemate.

McCarthy had goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo who had not played in the past matches on, resting his preferred starter Byrne Omondi. He also gave Felix Oluoch his debut, though as a substitute, in a team that was largely a mixture of the regular starters and usual substitutes.

Zambia were lucky to have played at a friendlier Kasarani Stadium, with over 21,000 empty seats following restrictions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which demanded reduction of tickets to the match – to only 27,000.

Two-time champions Morocco, Congo and Angola were pushed to the edge by Kenyans who filled the stadium during their matches, and would probably confirm that the reduced 12th man advantage was a positive gesture for Zambia.

Although the fans who made it to the stadium relentlessly rallied Harambee Stars from the first whistle, a notable difference could be felt, compared with the previous matches when the arena was filled to the rafters.

From the start, Grant looked cold as he entered the stadium for the warm-up session just before the kickoff, and conspicuously, was more beaten at the final whistle.

At the post-match press conference, however, he wore a courageous face, playing down any suggestion that the poor run could jeopardise his future with Zambia.

“We showed improvement today, especially defensively. In the other matches, we were even poorer but we have shown good improvement. It’s important to know we bought a squad that we wanted to test, how they can fit in the senior team.

“I’m not worried about the future of the team, because this tournament is basically for testing and exposing players in the local leagues. We have FIFA windows coming up next and that’s where our focus will be, with all the players playing in the abroad leagues available for selection,” he noted.

But, there was something special for the coach about the tournament, as he wound up his press conference.

“I really thank Kenya for the hospitality and the warm reception. The atmosphere has been good. I wish you well as you enjoy the rest of the tournament,” he said, appearing to send the message to the Kenyan journalists at the auditorium.