MABIKA’S CLEARANCE:
…Grant waits as he keeps door open for all passionate Zambian players
ZAMBIA national team coach Avram Grant says he is still waiting for the clearance of Aime Mabika, the United
States-based Chipolopolo defender who was born in Zambia from Congolese Parents.
Grant said the door is open for every Zambian who can make positive contributions to the Chipolopolo which regrouped for a three-day camp in Lusaka.
Grant, who is hoping that no players will be injured between now and the 20th said he will unveil the final squad after assessing the players who are in camp.
Speaking after leading the 27-member local squad for a training session at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Grant said players will have to show quality, passion and will to give everything for the country to be considered in the final squad which will be unveiled soon.
“We are still waiting for the passport of Mabika which I’m sure everyone is hoping that he will play for us because he is a good player and after everything then we can make the final list,” he said.
“The door is open for everybody, the door is open for any Zambian around the world. Any Zambian the door is open for them. They need to show three things, quality, passion and the will to give everything for the country because they don’t represent themselves they represent the country so they need to do everything that everyone will be happy with,” Grant said.
Grant, who admitted being under pressure because of the great expectations from Zambians reaffirmed his desire to make history with the Chipolopolo by taking Zambia to the World Cup.
Grant appealed to Chipolopolo fans to support the Chipolopolo and inspire them to deliver the needed results.
Zambia will host Lesotho on March 23 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola before travelling for the reverse fixture which will be played in South Africa on March 26.