After nearly three years at the helm of Zambian football, veteran coach Avram Grant has parted ways with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), ending a tenure marked by unprecedented success in continental competition.
The separation, announced as mutual by both parties on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, brings to a close one of the most successful periods in recent Chipolopolo history. Grant, who took charge in December 2022, achieved something that had eluded Zambia for years: back-to-back qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations.
In an emotional Instagram post, Grant reflected on his time with the Chipolopolo, expressing pride in transforming a team that had struggled to reach AFCON for years. “I am proud to leave the team in a much better position than when I inherited it,” Grant wrote. “After not qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in years, I managed them to two successive AFCONs and the team are strong and ready to face the challenges ahead.”
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The Israeli coach’s tenure saw Zambia qualify for both the 2024 edition and the upcoming Morocco 2025 tournament, where the Chipolopolo have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. The achievement represents a dramatic turnaround for a national team that had fallen off the continental stage.
“The Football Association of Zambia has agreed to mutually separate with Zambia Senior Men’s National Team coach Avram Grant,” said FAZ general secretary Machacha Shepande in an official statement. “We can only thank Mr. Grant for his contribution to the Zambian game.”
Grant’s message to Zambian fans carried both gratitude and hope for the future. He thanked former FAZ president Andrew Kamanga “for giving me the opportunity to manage this nation,” adding that Kamanga “played a major part in our success.” The coach also acknowledged the challenging conditions his staff worked under and expressed appreciation for the Zambian people’s unwavering support.
Despite the qualifying successes, Grant leaves with unfulfilled ambitions. In his farewell message, he spoke of his ultimate dream for Zambian football: “I hope that one day this great country qualifies for a World Cup for the first time in its long football history.”
Zambia has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, though the national team has a storied AFCON history, including their emotional 2012 championship victory in Gabon.
The separation comes at a crucial juncture, with Zambia preparing for the Morocco 2025 AFCON. FAZ indicated that “the rest of the details will be communicated in due course,” suggesting an announcement about Grant’s successor is imminent.
Grant, 70, brings decades of international coaching experience, having previously managed Chelsea, Portsmouth, and the Ghana national team, which he led to the 2015 AFCON final. His work in Zambia added another chapter to a distinguished career that has spanned four continents.
As the Chipolopolo look toward Morocco and beyond, they do so on stronger footing than when Grant arrived. His parting words to the team were simple but heartfelt: “I wish the team every success for the future.”
The search for Zambia’s next head coach now begins, with the successful candidate inheriting a team qualified for AFCON and positioned to build on the foundation Grant has established. For Zambian football, the challenge will be maintaining the momentum and continuing the journey toward that elusive World Cup dream.
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