In a thrilling encounter at the Ndola Stadium yesterday, Zambia's national football team secured their qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament for the first time since 2015 with a resounding 3-0 win over Ivory Coast, maintaining a record of 3/3 since Coach Grant took over the job. Coach Grant expressed his elation during a post-match interview, praising his players for their outstanding performance, stating, "I am very happy with the fighting spirit of the team," he said. "Ivory Coast is one of the best teams in Africa, but we were better than them today. I am very happy." Grant emphasized that his team's target has always been to win every game, and their efforts were evident in the match against Ivory Coast. "I told you when I came, our target is to win every game. Our target is to try and win every game." Goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga received special acknowledgment for his remarkable debut, with Grant commending the entire team for their collective effort. Zambia's captain, Lubambo Musonda, echoed the coach's sentiments, highlighting the team's confidence in securing victory and commending Grant's positive influence on the squad's development. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast's coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, conceded defeat graciously, admitting that Zambia outperformed his side. Gasset acknowledged Zambia's hunger and desire to win as crucial factors that contributed to their success. Ivorian defender Nclomande Ghislain Konan agreed with the coach's assessment, expressing disappointment in his team's performance but acknowledging Zambia's superior play. Looking ahead, Gasset emphasized the need for a revamped playing style to compete effectively in future competitions. Konan also emphasized the importance of key players returning for the next game to enhance team preparation for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers. Despite the loss, both coach Gasset and Konan conveyed their determination to learn from their mistakes and build a stronger team for future challenges.