Zambia coach Avram Grant is not concerned with the opposition his side will face at next month’s CHAN tournament in East Africa.
The Copper Bullets will face co-host Kenya, Morocco and neighbours Angola and DR Congo.
“We have a tough, tough group, as I understand. Very tough group. So what? Our target is to be tough to the other teams.,” the former Chelsea and West Ham manager said.
“I think in this competition we are more concentrated about our team, to develop them, to develop them personally, to see who we can promote to the first team,” he added after Wednesday’s training session at University of Lusaka.
“And, of course, you can do it only when you have a winning mentality. We showed in the last qualification to the Africa Cup that we have a winning mentality.
Grant also reminded how his lads topped their African Cup of Nations qualifiers without the likes of Patson Daka.
He will be hoping for the same spirit in East Africa.
“Even if we missed eight or seven players, all the key players, we won and we came to the Africa Cup on top of our group. For other people it is a big surprise. For me, as I saw the players in the training, it was not a surprise.”
“I don’t think the opponent is important. It is more important what we will do. We want to develop these players.
“We want to create a team. We want to create a winning mentality.
“In addition, as I said, I came to Zambia to do something for the long term, not only for the short term. For the short term it’s okay.”
“We don’t have many players in Europe. I hope that we will have more through even this competition.
“Because there are good players in Zambia, but they need to be polished and developed,”
“We have a tough, tough group, as I understand. Very tough group. So what? Our target is to be tough on the other teams.”
The CHAN tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
It will start on August 2 to 27.
FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Levison Banda (Zesco United), Charles Kalumba (Red Arrows)
(DEFENDERS)
Benedict Chepeshi, Kabaso Chongo (all Zesco United), Mathews Banda, Kendrick Mumba, (both Nkana), Killian Kanguluma (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga, Happy Nsiku (all Red Arrows), Lyson Banda (Green Buffaloes), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), John Chishimba (Zanaco)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Owen Tembo, Frederick Mulambia, Prince Mumba (both Power Dynamos), Kelvin Kapumbu (Konkola Blades), Wilson Chisala ( Zanaco), Philimon Chilimina (Green Buffaloes), Rally Bwalya (Napsa Stars), Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kampamba (both Zesco United), Jackson Kampamba (Mutondo Stars), Kenneth Kasanga (Nkwazi), Timothy Sichalwe (Athletico), Kelvin Mwanza (Muza FC)
(STRIKERS)
Andrew Phiri (MUZA), Evans Kayombo (Napsa Stars), Charles Zulu (Nkana), Ricky Banda, Joseph Phiri (Red Arrows), Kenan Phiri (Makeni All Stars)
