Avram Grant departs Zambia post after two successive AFCON qualifications
29th October 2025
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially parted ways with head coach Avram Grant, ending a two-year spell marked by AFCON qualification success but mixed tournament results.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 28, FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande described the decision as a mutual and necessary step to “chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo.”
Grant’s appointment in December 2022 marked a return to continental consistency for the 2012 African champions, but inconsistent friendlies, early AFCON exit, and poor CHAN and World Cup qualifying form led to mounting pressure.
Grant, who led the Black Stars of Ghana to their most recent Africa Cup of Nations grand final in 2015 where they were lost to eventual champions Ivory Coast on penalties will now have to look elsewhere after securing AFCON berth for the Chipolopolo.
AFCON 2025 Outlook:
Zambia face a challenging Group A in Morocco 2025, drawn alongside:
- Morocco (Hosts)
- Mali
- Comoros
The Chipolopolo will now begin a new coaching search, with FAZ promising to announce future plans and technical direction in the coming days.