Grant impressed as Daka scores brace in Zambia win against Lesotho

Zambian coach Avram Grant says he is impressed with the quality and passion his players have shown with after just two matches in charge of the senior national team.

The former Chelsea coach led his Chipolopolo side to a 2-0 away win over Lesotho in a Group H of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier played in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Patson Daka, who also features for English Premier League club Leicester City, netted in each half to make sure Zambia picked maximum points to go top of the group.

After the first 10 minutes with the hosts missing some good chances, Daka put the Chipolopolo ahead after 13 minutes. Lameck Banda also had his glancing header saved by the Lesotho goalkeeper.

After the interval it was Daka who netted his second of the day after 69 minutes before Kennedy Musonda replaced him. The hosts tried to fight back, but found a well coordinated Zambian backline they failed to beat.

The win takes Zambia to 9 points after four matches, while Ivory Coast with 3 matches played are second with 7 points before they play away to third placed Comoros on Tuesday.

After the match Grant said he was very impressed that his team is getting better and better. “We are on the right track although nothing is finished yet even though we have nine points,” explained Grant at the press conference.

The former Chelsea coach made it clear that the mission with the Zambian team is a process. “This process is moving well because we have won the first two matches when I was in charge and the team has played better than in the first match,” he added.

Grant said although the Zambian players are very talented, his job is to get the best from every player to fit in the team. “In the first match a few days ago Daka did a lot of running and today he showed very good finishing as a striker,” said Grant.

The Chipolopolo coach said that they still have two tough matches against Ivory Coast and Comoros. “But we are on the right track now and things will get better with hard work,” he added.