So now the dust has settled, the Chipolopolo Boys suffered their fifth defeat yesterday, losing 1-0 to Niger in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Zambia actually won just two games on the pitch , 4-2 against Congo Brazzaville and 1-0 away in Tanzania, the other three points came from the boardroom, anyway not that it matters at this point.
It has been one of the worst we have had in recent memory and what makes it worse is that in between, locally assembled teams ( CHAN and COSAFA) have been an even worse disaster failing to win even a single game in about seven games.
It was a disaster and no one should sugarcoat things but we need now to find a way forward because this is done.
WHAT NEXT
We need to find both short and long term solutions for this problem because remember we have AFCON in just about 70 days.
So if we have to compete against Morocco, Mali and Comoros, we have to put in the work now and find a solution, short term , to our problems and be ready for the continental showpiece which kicks off on 21st December.
GRANT TO STAY OR GO
That’s the biggest question isn’t it ? For me , this is something we need to handle with care, first we need to make sure we have proper cause to get rid of him ( to avoid paying through our noses at FIFA, the FA has in the recent past come out and said they are broke, so we don’t need more financial stress ).
After that if we get rid of him, if that’s the decision we also need to carefully select a coach that will align with our targets whatever those are and will be able to work towards that.
And if firing Grant is the route we are taking its best if that comes now so that a new coach is appointed and gets down to work immediately, remember the AFCON is in about 70 days.
MY TWO CENTS
On short term solutions, we need to naturalize as many players eligible for Zambia as possible, create a very big pool and give every player chance to prove their case for the badge.
We need to improve the quality but it won’t happen overnight so the easiest route with the short timeline is naturalization and motivating the already available players so that we can get the best out of them.
If that’s a new coach we need to motivate them and get the best out of them by all means.
Long term we also need to work seriously and intentional on creating a quality pool of player through investing in youth system, coach development, infrastructure improvement among other things.
We need a maybe 30 year plan to get ourselves to the World Cup we want but work has to start now.
Otherwise without serious improvement and work, we might be booted out at AFCON in early stages and also may be on the loop for years to come.
Work starts now, let’s do more to improve the status quo.
This is for everyone involved in Zambian football from clubs to the FA and the government through the Ministry of Youth , Sport and Art.
We keep the faith, Chipolopolo will rise again.
