Former Ghana coach Avram Grant has commended the exceptional quality of playing surfaces in Africa, likening them to the essential foundation required for a dancer – a good floor.
Grant, who recently reflected on his experience at AFCON, praised the excellent condition of the pitches in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting their role in enhancing the standard of play.
“The quality of the pitches is crucial,” Grant emphasized in an interview with FIFA.com, stressing the importance of providing top-notch playing surfaces for players across Africa. “It is like a dancer – you need a good floor. And by the way, I was very impressed at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. The pitches were fantastic. If we can give players across Africa better pitches, it will help them improve.”
In addition to pitch quality, Grant outlined two other key factors essential for advancing football in Africa. He emphasized the importance of investing in the development of backroom staff, including analysis, medical, and scouting departments. “The second one is the development of the backroom staff – the analysis, medical, and scouting departments. This will help players maximize their potential. There has been progress, but I think it can be even better.”
Grant also underscored the significance of education for coaches, both at the professional level and within youth teams, highlighting the need for continuous learning and skill development. “Education for coaches, alongside advancements in pitch quality and support infrastructure, holds the key to unlocking Africa’s footballing potential.”
The coach’s remarks come as Zambia aims to continue its upward trajectory in African football under Grant’s leadership. Despite exiting the AFCON tournament at the group stage, Zambia showed promise and potential, marking significant progress under Grant’s guidance. As they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers, the coach remains focused on leading his team to further success on the field.
