Former Black Stars head coach Avram Grant has been appointed as the new coach for Zambia.
The Israeli tactician has signed a two-year deal to handle the Chipolopolo after beating 10 shortlisted applicants from all over the world.
Grant, who missed out on Champions League glory with Chelsea in 2008 after a penalty shootout defeat in the final against Manchester United, succeeds Aljosa Asanovic who left the role in September.
“I came here as a football coach, Zambia has the potential, we (need to) set the target of what we want to achieve and I want to thank president Andrew (Kamanga) and the (selection) Committee for choosing me and giving me the opportunity to share my experience and take Zambian football forward which I think Zambia deserves,” Grant said after his unveiling.
“I was looking for the right challenge, the challenge here (in Zambia) is big and the potential is big and I am a man of challenges and this is the reason that I chose Zambia and Zambia also chose me and I will say thank you for choosing me. You see the young national team of Zambia (is) improving a lot and I think this is the best (time) for building something good for the present and the future and it is things that I want to do.”
The 67-year-old’s most recent job was with Indian side NorthEast United FC as technical director and as head coach in September 2018.
The former Portsmouth coach handled the Ghana national team from December 2014 to February 2017, guiding them to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea.
He also led the Black Stars to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Gabon, losing to eventual winners Cameroon.
