Avram Grant, the coach of Zambia’s national football team, addressed the media before departing for Malawi to participate in the FIFA Series Tournament. Grant emphasized the importance of selecting players based on merit, regardless of whether they play in local or foreign leagues.
Speaking to the Zambian Football Federation (FAZ) communications team, Grant expressed his commitment to assembling a competitive squad, stressing the need for talent and performance to be the primary criteria for selection.
“We want to present a good team, so I think this tournament is very important to shape our game and see other [local] players.
They deserve to be in the national team first,” Grant asserted, highlighting the opportunity for local talent to prove themselves on the international stage.
Grant emphasized the importance of performance evaluation during training camps, stating, “I choose players who I think can be in the national team.
But you know, they have to prove their worth. They will have the chance to do it in camp, in training. I’m sure they will be part of us. So we will wait and see them play and then decide.”
The coach’s remarks shed light on his commitment to fostering a meritocratic environment within the team, where players are selected based on their abilities and contributions rather than their playing location.
Grant has faced criticism in the past for favoring players based abroad over those competing in the local championship.
However, with the upcoming FIFA Series Tournament in Malawi, he aims to give promising local players a platform to showcase their talents and potentially earn a spot in the national team.
As Zambia prepares to compete in the tournament, all eyes will be on the performance of both local and foreign-based players as they vie for positions in Grant’s squad, underscoring the importance of meritocracy in shaping the team’s future.
