CITY may not have had a game this weekend but they were represented on the international stage.

Valley Parade fans favourite Jamie Lawrence enjoyed a winning start in his new role with Zambia as they chalked up back-to-back wins in the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations.

Lawrence has been appointed fitness coach for the Chipolopolo, or Copper Bullets, to once again work under Avram Grant.

The Israeli, who managed Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham in the Premier League, had previously employed Lawrence in the same position with Ghana.

They reached the African Cup of Nations final in 2015 but lost on a penalty shoot-out to Ivory Coast.

Two years later, the Black Stars were knocked out in the last four by Cameroon.

Grant returned to international management with Zambia just before Christmas - and knew exactly the right man to help get his new charges up to speed.

“We were obviously together at Ghana and he thought I did a good job there,” said Lawrence. “This happened quite quickly.

“I was first aware of it about four weeks ago but kept it under my hat until I got confirmation. I flew out the following day.

“Straight away I wanted it. We worked well in the past and were successful with Ghana, getting to the final and semi-final.

“I’ve always kept in touch with Avram and dropped him a message here and there. I sent one to congratulate him about getting the job - and then a couple of weeks later we had a conversation.

“It’s great when you’ve got a manager who respects what you do and how hard you work. In any walk of life, you need to be appreciated.”

Lawrence had never been to Zambia before taking up the post - but he did have a tour guide waiting to help him get accustomed to his new country.

Former Jamaica team-mate Marlon King lives out there and is married to a former Miss Zambia.

“I met up with him as soon as I got there,” added Lawrence. “I was with him a couple of hours and he knows a few of the players.

“We didn’t go into too much detail but I will source him for information in time.

“When I went to Ghana, they were household names and really established players. Zambia’s main player is probably (Patson) Daka, who is at Leicester.”

Daka scored both goals in Grant and Lawrence’s first game in the Zambian dug-out - a home win over Lesotho in Ndola on Thursday.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jamie Lawrence poses with Avram Grant and the staffJamie Lawrence poses with Avram Grant and the staff (Image: Facebook)

And they made it back-to-back victories against the same opponents yesterday, coming from behind to win the return fixture 3-1 in Johannesburg with goals from Rangers striker Fashion Sakala and Lecce’s Lameck Banda, who scored twice.

Like many of the African teams, there is a heavy European-based contingent to boost the local players in the squad.

Lawrence added: “It’s another challenge for me and you know how much I’m into the fitness. I know it can make a massive difference, whatever level of ability you’re at.

“I’ll come over from England whenever there is an international break. Our aim is to qualify for the next African Nations.”

So far so good for Zambia who top qualifying group H on nine points. Their next game will be the toughest against Ivory Coast in June.

Grant praised Daka’s fitness levels after the latest win.

“In the first match a few days ago, Daka did a lot of running and in this game he showed very good finishing as a striker,” he said.

“This process is moving well. The team has played better than in the first match.”

The inevitable word of mouth meant the players knew exactly what to expect when Lawrence walked in.

“My reputation precedes me,” he smiled. “Players know each other.

“Obviously at Leicester, there’s (Ghana international) Daniel Amartey and Daka together so they would have spoken.

“But I go in there as I mean to go on. You can’t try to implement something halfway down the line.

“You have to do it this way from day one. You treat training like it’s a match day.

“There’s more recovery at the minute because they’ve been playing. You’ve got to make sure that they are sharp.

“I know my formula works, 100 per cent. The Ghanian players are still in contact with me so that’s proof in the pudding.

“A few of them have said that I changed their mindset. That’s great to hear from players when they are at the top of their game.”