Zambia national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Zambia

Nickname(s)	Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
Association	Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Avram Grant
Captain	Lubambo Musonda
Most caps	Kennedy Mweene (122)
Top scorer	Godfrey Chitalu (79)
Home stadium	Levy Mwanawasa Stadium National Heroes Stadium
FIFA code	ZAM
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	82 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest	15 (February – May 1996, August 1996)
Lowest	102 (February 2011)
Elo ranking
Current	101 19 (3 March 2019)
Highest	27 (6 April 1994)
Lowest	106 (October 2009)
First international
Southern Rhodesia 0–4 Northern Rhodesia  (Southern Rhodesia; 1946)
Biggest win
Zambia 11–2 Swaziland  (Lusaka, Zambia; 5 February 1978)  Zambia 9–0 Kenya  (Lilongwe, Malawi; 13 November 1978)  Zambia 9–0 Lesotho  (Botswana; 8 August 1988)
Biggest defeat
DR Congo 10–1 Zambia  (DR Congo; 22 November 1969)  Belgium 9–0 Zambia  (Brussels, Belgium; 3 June 1994)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	18 (first in 1974)
Best result	Champions (2012)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	19 (first in 1997)
Best result	Champions (1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances	1 (first in 2024)
Best result	Third place (2024)
Medal record CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gold 2012 Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Team Silver 1974 Egypt Team Silver 1994 Tunisia Team Bronze 1982 Libya Team Bronze 1990 Algeria Team Bronze 1996 South Africa Team CAF African Nations Championship Bronze 2009 Ivory Coast Team COSAFA Cup Gold 1997 Southern Africa Gold 1998 Southern Africa Gold 2006 Southern Africa Gold 2013 Zambia Team Gold 2019 South Africa Gold 2023 South Africa Silver 2004 Southern Africa Silver 2005 Southern Africa Silver 2007 Southern Africa Silver 2009 Zimbabwe Silver 2017 South Africa Silver 2018 South Africa Bronze 2008 South Africa CECAFA Cup Gold 1984 Uganda Gold 1991 Uganda Silver 1976 Zanzibar Silver 1977 Somalia Silver 1978 Malawi Silver 1988 Malawi Silver 2006 Ethiopia Bronze 1981 Tanzania Bronze 1992 Tanzania Bronze 2013 Kenya

The Zambia national football team plays for Zambia in association football. It is managed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). In the 1980s, the team was called the KK 11. This name came from Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, who was Zambia's first president. After 1991, the team got a new nickname: Chipolopolo. This means "The Copper Bullets" in the Bemba language.

The team achieved a big win in 2012. They won the Africa Cup of Nations title that year. Zambia is also the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup. They won the 2023 edition, beating Zimbabwe's record.

History of Zambia's Football Team

The 1993 Air Disaster

A very sad event happened to the Zambian team on April 27, 1993. The team was traveling to Senegal for a World Cup qualifying match. Their military plane crashed into the ocean.

The plane had engine problems during a stop in Brazzaville. Even so, the flight continued. After taking off from Libreville, Gabon, one engine caught fire. The pilot accidentally turned off the other working engine. This caused the plane to lose power and crash. All 30 people on board died, including 18 players.

Zambia's Journey: 1994 to 2012

After the tragedy, the Zambian team worked hard to rebuild. On June 3, 1994, they played Belgium and lost 9–0. This was one of their biggest losses.

At the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, they did very well. They won their group games and beat Egypt in the quarterfinals. They lost to Tunisia in the semifinals. But they won third place by beating Ghana 1–0. Kalusha Bwalya was a star, scoring 5 goals in the tournament.

From 1998 to 2006, Zambia struggled in the Africa Cup of Nations. They usually did not get past the first round. In 2004, they did not even qualify. On September 3, 2006, Zambia had their biggest win ever at home. They beat Djibouti 10–0.

In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia finished third in their group. They won one game, drew one, and lost one. In 2010, they reached the quarterfinals but lost to Nigeria on penalties.

The year 2012 was the best for Zambian football. At the 2012 AFCON, they topped their group. They beat Senegal and Equatorial Guinea. They also drew with Libya. In the knockout rounds, they beat Sudan 3–0. Then they defeated Ghana 1–0 in the semifinals.

The final match was against Ivory Coast. It was a very exciting game that ended 0–0 after extra time. Zambia won their first-ever title in a dramatic Penalty shootout.

Zambia's Football Uniforms

The Zambian national team has used different companies for their football uniforms over the years. Here is a list of their kit providers:

Kit provider	Period
Adidas	1993–1996
Puma	1997–2000
Diadora	2001–2002
Umbro	2003
Nike	2004–2015
Kappa	2016
Mafro	2017
KoPa	2018–

Recent Games and Future Matches

This section shows the results of Zambia's football matches from the last 12 months. It also lists any games scheduled for the future.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023 Match Results

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 November	Niger	2–1	Zambia	Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Moutari  6' Goumey  28'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017601	Daka  50'	Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 200 Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya)

2024 Match Results

Friendly 9 January	Zambia	1–1	Cameroon	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
17:00 UTC+3	Daka  11'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/09/world/friendlies/zambia/cameroon/4294214/	Yongwa  20'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium

2023 AFCON GS 17 January	DR Congo	1–1	Zambia	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
	Wissa  27'	https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=190&season=2023&match=2411936	Kangwa  23'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,478 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

2023 AFCON GS 21 January	Zambia	1–1	Tanzania	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
	Daka  88'	https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=190&season=2023&match=2411938	Msuva  11'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 13,342 Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)

2023 AFCON GS 24 January	Zambia	0–1	Morocco	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
		https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=190&season=2023&match=2411940	Ziyech  37'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,231 Referee: Patrice Tanguy (Gabon)

Friendly 23 March	Zambia	2–2 (5–6 pen)	Zimbabwe	Lilongwe, Malawi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/world/friendlies/zambia/zimbabwe/4336613/		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
		Penalties
	{{{penalties1}}}		{{{penalties2}}}

Friendly 26 March	Malawi	1–2	Zambia	Lilongwe, Malawi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/world/friendlies/zambia/malawi/4343906/		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 7 June	Morocco	2–1	Zambia	Agadir, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Ziyech  6' (pen.) Ben Seghir  67'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018189	Chilufya  80'	Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 11 June	Zambia	0–1	Tanzania	Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018188	Waziri  5'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)

2024 COSAFA Cup 27 June	Zambia	0–2	Kenya	Gqeberha, South Africa
18:00		https://cosafa.com/em-fr-pr-kenya-beat-zambia-zimbabwe-pick-up-win-against-comoros/	Odhiambo  8' (pen.) Otieno  19'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

2024 COSAFA Cup 30 June	Zambia	0–2	Zimbabwe	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00		https://cosafa.com/en-fr-pr-zimbabwe-get-bragging-rights-over-old-foes-zambia/	Tapera  8' Benhura  43'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

2024 COSAFA Cup 2 July	Comoros	1–0	Zambia	Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00	Ibroihim  61'	https://cosafa.com/mozambique-comoros-into-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-2024-semis/		Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

2025 Future Matches

2025 Kirin Challenge Cup 17 March	Japan	v	Zambia	Japan

Zambia's National Team Coaches

Here is a list of the coaches who have led the Zambian national football team. Caretaker managers, who fill in temporarily, are shown in italics.

Zambia's Current Football Players

Current Squad Members

These players were chosen for the 2025 AFCON qualification games. These matches are against Chad on October 11 and 15, 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are updated as of September 10, 2024, after the game against Sierra Leone.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Toaster Nsabata	(1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 (age 31)	39	0	ZESCO United
	1GK	Lawrence Mulenga	(1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 26)	20	0	Power Dynamos
	1GK	Francis Mwansa	(2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 22)	5	0	Green Buffaloes
	1GK	Victor Chabu	(1994-02-22) 22 February 1994 (age 31)	1	0	Nchanga Rangers
	2DF	Benedict Chepeshi	(1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 29)	48	0	Red Arrows
	2DF	Kabaso Chongo	(1992-02-11) 11 February 1992 (age 33)	45	1	Kabwe Warriors
	2DF	Tandi Mwape	(1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 (age 28)	29	1	Mazembe
	2DF	Frankie Musonda	(1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 27)	16	1	Ayr United
	2DF	Gift Mphande	(2003-11-19) 19 November 2003 (age 21)	6	0	Hapoel Rishon LeZion
	2DF	David Bulaya	(1997-10-07) 7 October 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Napsa Stars
	2DF	Peter Kalota	(1999-08-23) 23 August 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Red Arrows
	3MF	Lubambo Musonda (captain)	(1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 (age 30)	55	2	Silkeborg
	3MF	Kelvin Kampamba	(1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 (age 28)	49	7	ZESCO United
	3MF	Clatous Chama	(1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 34)	40	7	Simba
	3MF	Benson Sakala	(1996-09-12) 12 September 1996 (age 28)	40	0	Mladá Boleslav
	3MF	Kings Kangwa	(1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 26)	34	7	Hapoel Be'er Sheva
	3MF	Lameck Banda	(2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 24)	17	3	Lecce
	3MF	Miguel Chaiwa	(2004-06-07) 7 June 2004 (age 21)	12	0	Young Boys
	3MF	Obino Chisala	(1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25)	3	0	CD Costa do Sol
	3MF	Joseph Banda	(2005-12-17) 17 December 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Zürich
	4FW	Edward Chilufya	(1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25)	18	1	Häcken
	4FW	Kennedy Musonda	(1994-12-28) 28 December 1994 (age 30)	11	1	Young Africans
	4FW	Jimmy Mukeya	(2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 23)	5	0	Kansanshi Dynamos
	4FW	Francisco Mwepu	(2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 25)	3	0	Cádiz
	4FW	Chipyoka Songa	(2004-09-24) 24 September 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Hapoel Petah Tikva

Players Recently Called Up

The following players were called up in the 12 months before this list was made.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Charles Kalumba	(1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 29)	6	0	Red Arrows	2024 COSAFA Cup
GK	Willard Mwanza	(1997-06-03) 3 June 1997 (age 28)	0	0	Power Dynamos	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Stoppila Sunzu	(1989-06-22) 22 June 1989 (age 36)	94	6	Changchun Yatai	v.  Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024
DF	Dominic Chanda	(1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 29)	30	1	Kabwe Warriors	v.  Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024
DF	Zakaria Chilongoshi	(1999-10-27) 27 October 1999 (age 25)	18	0	Prison Leopards	v.  Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024
DF	Killian Kanguluma	(1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25)	7	1	Kabwe Warriors	v.  Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024
DF	John Chishimba	(2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 22)	6	0	ZESCO United	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Mathews Chabala	(2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 22)	7	0	ZESCO United	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Brian Chilimina	(1997-06-27) 27 June 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Red Arrows	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Chitoshi Chinga	(1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Nkana	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Owen Mwamba	(1998-07-24) 24 July 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Mufulira Wanderers	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Mathews Banda	(2005-08-06) 6 August 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Nkana	2024 COSAFA Cup
DF	Luka Banda	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 30)	14	0	Napsa Stars	v.  Tanzania; 11 June 2024
DF	Zephaniah Phiri	(1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 (age 28)	4	0	Prison Leopards	v.  Malawi; 26 March 2024
DF	Rodrick Kabwe	(1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 32)	48	0	Sekhukhune United	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Teddy Khumalo	(2004-02-12) 12 February 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Free agent	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF	Kelvin Kapumbu	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 29)	34	0	ZESCO United	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Fredrick Mulambia	(2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 22)	10	2	Power Dynamos	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Abraham Siankombo	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 27)	9	0	ZESCO United	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Dickson Chapa	(1991-10-24) 24 October 1991 (age 33)	8	0	Napsa Stars	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Saddam Phiri	(1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32)	6	0	Red Arrows	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Austin Muwowo	(1996-09-26) 26 September 1996 (age 28)	6	1	Power Dynamos	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	David Simukonda	(2005-08-10) 10 August 2005 (age 19)	3	0	ZESCO United	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Owen Tembo	(1995-05-16) 16 May 1995 (age 30)	3	0	Power Dynamos	2024 COSAFA Cup
MF	Emmanuel Banda	(1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 (age 27)	32	0	Rijeka	v.  Tanzania; 11 June 2024
MF	Joshua Mutale	(2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 23)	11	0	Power Dynamos	v.  Tanzania; 11 June 2024
MF	Golden Mafwenta	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 24)	8	0	MFK Vyškov	v.  Malawi; 26 March 2024
MF	Larry Bwalya	(1995-05-29) 29 May 1995 (age 30)	18	1	AmaZulu	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Jackson Chirwa	(1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 30)	30	1	Green Buffaloes	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Ricky Banda	(2001-05-03) 3 May 2001 (age 24)	8	1	Red Arrows	v.  Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024
FW	Albert Kangwanda	(1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 (age 26)	15	5	Kafue Celtic	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Andrew Phiri	(2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 24)	8	0	MUZA	2024 COSAFA Cup
FW	Patson Daka	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26)	48	21	Leicester City	v.  Tanzania; 11 June 2024
FW	Gamphani Lungu	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26)	17	0	SuperSport United	v.  Tanzania; 11 June 2024
FW	Fashion Sakala	(1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 28)	32	9	Al-Fayha	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Lazarous Kambole	(1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 (age 31)	17	7	ZESCO United	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
Notes DEC Refused to join the team after the call-up. INJ Withdrew due to an injury. PRE Preliminary Squad. RET Retired from international association football. SUS Suspended from the team.

Zambia's Player Records

This section shows the players with the most appearances and goals for the Zambian national team. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for Zambia.

Most Games Played for Zambia

Top Goal Scorers for Zambia

Zambia's Tournament Records

FIFA World Cup Appearances

Zambia has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Here is their record in the qualification stages.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966	Did not enter									Did not enter
1970	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	6	6
1974										10	4	3	3	19	11
1978										6	3	1	2	9	5
1982										4	2	1	1	6	2
1986										6	2	1	3	8	6
1990										6	3	0	3	7	6
1994										8	5	1	2	17	5
1998										8	3	2	3	10	8
2002										10	5	2	3	16	11
2006										12	7	2	3	21	11
2010										10	3	3	4	4	6
2014										6	3	2	1	11	4
2018										8	4	2	2	11	7
2022										6	2	1	3	8	9
2026	To be determined									4	1	0	3	6	7
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/15								106	48	21	37	159	103

Africa Cup of Nations Record

Zambia has played in the Africa Cup of Nations many times. They won the tournament once in 2012.

Africa Cup of Nations										Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1963	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1965	Did not enter									Did not enter
1968
1970	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	9	8
1972										4	2	0	2	8	6
1974	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	0	2	9	7		4	2	0	2	11	7
1976	Did not qualify									4	2	0	2	13	6
1978	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	3	2		2	1*	0	1	2	2
1980	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	5	2
1982	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	7	3		4	4	0	0	6	2
1984	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	2
1986	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	4		2	2	1	1	0	1	0
1988	Withdrew									Withdrew
1990	Third place	3rd	5	3	1	1	3	2		4	3	0	1	8	2
1992	Quarter-finals	7th	3	1	0	2	1	2		6	4	1	1	11	4
1994	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	7	2		6	4	2	0	10	2
1996	Third place	3rd	6	4	1	1	15	6		4	3	0	1	7	2
1998	Group stage	10th	3	1	1	1	4	6		6	4	2	0	9	3
2000		13th	3	0	2	1	3	5		6	5	1	0	9	2
2002		14th	3	0	1	2	1	3		6	3	2	3	7	6
2004	Did not qualify									6	3	2	1	6	5
2006	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	3	6		12	7	2	3	16	11
2008		9th	3	1	1	1	5	6		6	3	2	1	9	3
2010	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	5	5		10	3	3	4	4	10
2012	Champions	1st	6	5	1	0	9	3		6	4	1	1	11	2
2013	Group stage	12th	3	0	3	0	2	2		2	1*	0	1	1	1
2015		13th	3	0	2	1	2	3		6	3	2	1	6	2
2017	Did not qualify									6	1	4	1	7	7
2019										6	2	1	3	8	7
2021										6	2	1	3	8	12
2023	Group stage	20th	3	0	2	1	2	3		6	4	1	1	12	6
2025	Qualified									6	4	1	1	7	4
2027	To be determined									To be determined
2029
Total	1 title	18/25	69	27	19	23	83	70		140	77	30	44	236	121

COSAFA Cup Achievements

The COSAFA Cup is a regional tournament. Zambia has won this cup many times.

Year	COSAFA Cup record
	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1997	Winners	5	3	2	0	11	4
1998	Winners	5	3	2	0	5	2
1999	Semi-finals	2	0	1	1	1	2
2000	Quarter-finals	2	1	1	0	3	0
2001	Semi-finals	3	1	2	0	3	2
2002	Semi-finals	2	1	0	1	3	1
2003	Semi-finals	2	1	1	0	5	3
2004	Runners-up	3	2	1	0	3	1
2005	Runners-up	4	2	1	1	7	3
2006	Winners	4	4	0	0	8	1
2007	Runners-up	2	1	1	0	3	0
2008	Third place	3	1	1	1	2	1
2009	Runners-up	3	2	0	1	4	3
2013	Winners	3	2	1	0	5	1
2015	Quarter-finals	3	1	1	1	3	1
2016	Quarter-finals	1	0	1	0	0	0
2017	Runners-up	3	2	0	1	7	6
2018	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	4
2019	Winners	3	2	1	0	3	2
2021	Group stage	4	1	1	2	3	4
2022	Winners	3	2	1	0	6	4
2023	Winners	5	4	0	1	9	5
2024	Group stage	3	0	0	3	0	5
Total	7 titles

Zambia's Football Honours

Continental Awards

• Africa Cup of Nations
  • Champion (1): 2012
  • Runner-up (2): 1974, 1994
  • Third place (3): 1982, 1990, 1996
• African Nations Championship
  • Third place (1): 2009

Regional Awards

• COSAFA Cup
  • Champion (7): 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023
  • Runner-up (6): 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2018
  • Third place (1): 2008
• CECAFA Cup
  • Champion (2): 1984, 1991
  • Runner-up (5): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2006
  • Third place (5): 1973, 1974, 1981, 1992, 2013

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Zambia para niños