Zambia made a return to the Africa Cup of Nations, sealing qualification with a thumping 3-0 win over tournament host Côte d’Ivoire in Ndola.

Led by former Ghana coach, Avram Grant, Zambia leapfrogged to the top of Group H and guaranteed a ticket to the finals thanks to emphatic display against the Elephants, with a first-half own goal from Serge Aurier and second-half strikes by Patson Daka and Kings Kangwa securing the thumping victory.

The win at home pushed Zambia to 12 points top of Group H with a game left to play, two ahead of the Ivorians.

The Southern Africans – who won the continental title in 2012 – will return to the AFCON finals for the first time since 2015.

After his short stint with NorthEast United as an interim coach, Grant was given the Zambian job last year and has successfully managed to qualify the team for the 2023 AFCON to be staged in Ivory Coast next year.

Grant was in charge of the Black Stars between 2014 and 2017 and led the team to the 2015 FCON which they lost on penalties to Ivory Coast.