CHAN 2024: CAF Fines Zambia Coach Avram Grant for Incident in Nairobi
- CAF has fined Zambia and their coach, Avram Grant, for an incident in Nairobi during CHAN 2024
- Grant was appointed in 2022 and led Zambia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast
- Chipolopolo have played two matches at the tournament and lost both of them, and are hoping to save their campaign when they face Morocco
Zambia coach Avram Grant has been fined by CAF ahead of their highly anticipated CHAN 2024 match against Harambee Stars on Sunday, August 17.
Source: Twitter
CHAN 2024, co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, is entering its second week, and fans have already enjoyed some thrilling games and drama.
The host nations are leading all three groups, with Tanzania maintaining a perfect record, while Avram Grant's Zambia are still searching for their first point.
How have Zambia performed at CHAN 2024?
Zambia are currently at the bottom of Group A with zero points from two matches. Chipolopolo first faced neighbours DR Congo, losing 2-0, before suffering a painful 2-1 defeat to Angola.
“In football, and in life, there is always something called a new day and new hope. This is the same thing I told to my players that we forget what happened in the first game and give our effort in the second match where we have a chance to improve,” Grant said after losing to the Leopards via CAF.
They face favourites Morocco on Thursday, August 14, before concluding their group with a match against Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars.
Grant's side have to win their remaining group matches to have a chance of reaching the quarter-final.
Zambia is making their fifth appearance in the tournament, with their most recent participation in 2020. They also took part in the 2009, 2016, 2018, and 2020 editions.
Source: Twitter
Why is CAF fining Avram Grant and Zambia?
On Wednesday, CAF, the African football governing body, released a statement saying they are fining Zambia $5,000 (KSh 645,000) for failing to present Avram Grant, their head coach, for a mandatory press conference.
He was scheduled to conduct a press conference with his captain, Kaboso Chongo, at Kasarani, but his assistant, Moses Sichone, appeared instead, prompting CAF to cancel the event.
The head coach must attend the press conference, and if there’s an emergency, it must be communicated three hours in advance, which Zambia failed to do.
The fines must be paid within 60 days of receiving notification of this decision.
Kenya and Morocco were also fined, with Kenya hit with a penalty of KSh 6.4 million.
When did Zambia hire Avram Grant?
Grant took charge of Zambia, replacing Wedson Nyirenda in 2022. The experienced Israeli tactician has coached in some of the top leagues in the world and managed some of the biggest games.
He coached Zambia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and also guided Ghana to the final of the 2015 AFCON.
Before transitioning to international football, Grant coached across Europe, including in the Premier League with Chelsea and West Ham. He guided Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, where they were defeated by Manchester United.
Zambia eliminated from CHAN 2024
Zambia were later eliminated from CHAN 2024 after they lost 3-1 to Morocco on Thursday evening.
Goals from Mohamed Hrimat, Oussama Lamlioio and Sabir Bougrine rendered Andrew Phiri's goal a mere consolation.
The result leaves the Chipolopolo without a win in the competition ahead of their game against Kenya.
Possible Harambee Stars quarter-final opponents
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported on Harambee Stars' possible quarter-final opponents.
If Kenya finish top of Group A, they will face Group B runners-up in Nairobi, so a derby against Tanzania is unlikely since Taifa Stars are set to win their group.
Benni McCarthy's team will likely face the likes of Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
