CHAN 2024: Millions Zambia Will Pocket for Finishing Last with Zero Points in ‘Group of Death’

While Kenya and Morocco are celebrating quarter-final qualification at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024), Zambia are among those licking their wounds.

The Chipolopolo came into the tournament as one of the teams that could surprise although they were in a tough Group A that has Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Kenya.

However, their results were so surprising as they ended up as the whipping boys of the group, losing all their four matches.

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Avram Grant’s men started with a 2-0 loss to DR Congo, 2-1 defeat to Zambia followed by a 3-1 loss to Morocco before ending up with a 1-0 reverse against Kenya.

That left them as the only team at the tournament who went home without a point but even for their poor show, the Chipolopolo are still set to be rewarded thanks to the prize money breakdown set by organisers Confederation of African Football (CAF).

As per the CHAN 2024 prize money structure, every side that finished last in a four or five-team group ended up with $200,000 (Ksh25.8 million), meaning Zambia, with zero points, earned same as Central Africa Republic (one point) and Niger as well as Congo Brazzaville, who each had two points.

The four sides missed out on the $300,000 (Ksh38.7 million) that went to teams that finished fourth or higher in their groups while the eight that made it to the quarter-final, being Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania, Madagascar, Uganda, Algeria, Senegal and Sudan will each pocket $450,000 (Ksh58 million).

However, while fans expected a good show from Zambia, coach Grant had little expectations as he came with a young and inexperienced team which he was testing at the tournament as he looks to integrate some of them into the senior side.

“For me, from the beginning, I said that our ambition was to build up the team,” the former Chelsea coach, who has been criticised for the poor performance, told Telecomasia.net.

“Of course, we would have wanted to win every game, but despite losing three, I am happy that we have gotten better in each match. Zambia is not like many other national teams who have many players in Europe and these tournaments offer us a chance to develop more.

“There are maybe three who I have seen that can be integrated into the senior team when we play the next international window,” Grant further said.

Zambia will now turn their attention to their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Morocco in September but Grant’s main focus will be the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December.