The defensive midfielder position is one of the most important in World Football right now, Casemiro at Manchester United, Rodri at Manchester City, Moises Caicedo at Brighton and Hove Albion to name a few.
With Chipolopolo taking on Ivory Coast tomorrow, who starts in front of the back four is one the biggest questions.
2012 AFCON winner Stophila Sunzu is back in the Chipolopolo set up meaning the centre back options have increased for Grant.
With Sunzu, Tandi Mwape, Dominic Chanda and Frankie Chisenga Musonda all available for selection, the AYR man could be pushed into the holding midfielder position.
Musonda has shown that he is comfortable on the ball and can do the dirty work hence it could be a viable option for the Israeli gaffer.
Grant could also decide to go with an attack minded midfield and slot Emmanuel Banda in that position.
Banda has previously been deployed as a defensive midfielder which is not his best position but he does a decent job.
Klings Kangwa has also previously been asked to provide cover for the back four in the absence of a proper defensive midfielder.
However the most likely scenario is that ZESCO United workaholic Kelvin Kapumbu will start in that position.
Kapumbu was impressive back in March when he came off the bench to replace Benson Sakala against Lesotho.
Kapumbu is one of the very few players who can do the dirty work and is also comfortable on the ball.
Zambia and Ivory Coast will battle it out at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium tomorrow.
Zambia are second on nine points behind leaders and already qualified Ivory Coast in Group H and need a point in the remaining two group matches to secure a spot at next year’s AFCON.
The final group match will be played in September 2023 against Comoros.
