Zambia’s Chipolopolo endured a nightmare at the CHAN 2024 tournament in Nairobi, bowing out without a single victory after losing all their Group A matches.

The final blow came at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, where Kenya’s Ryan Ogam struck in the 74th minute to seal a 1-0 win, sending Zambians home empty-handed.

The defeat capped a miserable campaign for the two-time African champions, who had already fallen to Congo DR, Angola and Morocco earlier in the tournament. The Kasarani loss, though narrow, underscored a pattern of decline that has left fans and pundits questioning the team’s future under current leadership.

As Kenyan fans erupted in celebration, the sight of Zambians slumping in despair told the other half of the story. Grant’s squad had fought hard for a draw, but the breakthrough never came. Even the restricted 27,000-capacity crowd, a far cry from the packed stadiums seen in earlier matches, could not shift the momentum in Chipolopolo’s favour.

Grant’s fading fortunes

Head coach Avram Grant, 70, walked into Nairobi with one of the most impressive CVs in the tournament, but left as a crestfallen man. The Israeli tactician, who once guided Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final and managed English side West Ham United, could not save Zambia from a fourth consecutive loss.

Grant’s resume also includes stints with Israel’s national team between 2002 and 2006, and Ghana’s Black Stars, where he led the four-time African champions to the 2015 AFCON final. Since 2022, he has been in charge of Zambia, but CHAN 2024 has magnified cracks already visible in his tenure.

Indeed, Zambia’s woes extend beyond Nairobi. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Grant’s side has managed just six points out of a possible 15 in Group E, trailing runaway leaders Morocco by nine. For many, the disastrous CHAN outing has only intensified doubts about his future in Lusaka.

Facing journalists after the loss in Kenya, Grant tried to draw positives from the campaign.

“We showed improvement today, especially defensively. In the other matches, we were even poorer, but we have shown good improvement. It’s important to know we bought a squad that we wanted to test, how they can fit in the senior team,” he said.

“I’m not worried about the future of the team, because this tournament is basically for testing and exposing players in the local leagues. We have FIFA windows coming up next, and that’s where our focus will be, with all the players playing in the abroad leagues available for selection,” he added.

And despite the disappointment, Grant reserved warm words for the hosts.
“I thank Kenya for the hospitality and the warm reception. The atmosphere has been good. I wish you well as you enjoy the rest of the tournament,” he concluded