Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, has advised the Chipolopolo Head Coach, Avram Grant, to pay a listening ear to the Zambian fans.
This follows mixed reactions expressed by fans via social media on Grant’s exclusion of key players such as Fashion Sakala and Clatous Chota Chama, among others, in the 27-member provisional squad named for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Morocco and Tanzania to be played in June.
Speaking to Diamond Sports, Chileshe says Grant should take the reactions as valid criticism in order to maintain the relationship between him and the fans.
However, Chileshe has also urged the fans to trust in Grant’s decisions, saying he has the experience and knowledge needed to run the team.
According to the Football Association of Zambia, Lameck Banda and Clatous Chota Chama have been ruled out due to injury while Grant is yet to give reason of striker Fashion Sakala’s exclusion.
By Comas Chongo Mulenga