DONT BRING YOUR EGO TO THE NATIONAL TEAM, BE THE BEST EXAMPLE TO OTHERS – GRANT TELLS PLAYERS.
CHIPOLOPOLO Coach Avram Grant has cautioned players against bringing their egos to the National Team.
Grant said playing for the national team is a privilege and players are supposed to be the best example for others.
The National Team gaffer was speaking during the announcement of the 26 man provisional squad for the back to Back AFCON Qualifiers against Chad.
The first match will be played on 11th October at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium while the second game will be hosted in Cameroon four days later.
In his squad, Grant has yet again overlooked Saudi Based Fashion Sakala whom he had a fallout with after the Chiipolopolo Star took to social media to air out his grievances.
And Grant said he does not believe in Super stars stating that the only Super star is the team.
He said players must put aside their ego and represent the country with pride.
“There is something special about the National team, you do not represent yourself. You represent the country.
To play for the national team is a privilege. When you play for the national team, you need to know that you don’t play for yourself but the country. You need to also be an example for others.
People are watching you, you have to behave, you do not choose to think about yourself. Take your ego and put it on the side, the only ego is the National team and the country,” he said.
And Grant said he is fully focussed on the players in the team.
“I want to concentrate on the players that are in the squad, they did a very good job.
I am not speaking about those not in the squad. Out of my 51 years Coaching experience. I belive very much in values and standard of the pitch. It is for everybody.
If sunzu will speak against his friends in the media, he will not be in the squad. If Patson Daka has a recording and secretly published it , he will not be in the squad. This is the standard and I will believe in this. …..If a player thinks that he made a mistake and says sorry, I (the player) think I was angry, there is a direct line to the coach……., ” Grant said.
Meanwhile, Grant said his side has set a goal to qualify for another AFCON Tournament.
He is however worried about the defence leaking goals but promised that the technical bench will ensure to seal the loopholes.
“We will find a solution, it is not every game that we will concede two goals…..,” he said.
The Chipolopolo trainer has also revealed that he is in contact with about five players of Zambian descent and are plying their trade in Europe.
Zambia will qualify for the AFCON if they win their two games against Chad provided that Sierra Leone fails to record a victory in their matches against the Ivory Coast.
Platinum Sports | October 3, 2024.