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	19 (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 represents Zambia in association football. The team is managed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). They are often called Chipolopolo, which means "The Copper Bullets".

The team won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012. They are also the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup. They won the 2023 edition, beating Zimbabwe's record.

History of the Team

A Sad Day in 1993

A terrible event happened to the Zambian team on April 27, 1993. A military plane carrying the team to a World Cup qualifier crashed. This happened after taking off from Libreville, Gabon. All 30 people on board, including 18 players, lost their lives. It was a very sad day for Zambian football.

From 1994 to 2012: Rising Up

After the tragedy, the team worked hard to rebuild. In 1996, they finished third in the Africa Cup of Nations. Star player Kalusha Bwalya scored 5 goals in that tournament.

Zambia didn't do as well in the Africa Cup of Nations from 1998 to 2006. However, on September 3, 2006, they achieved their biggest win ever. They beat Djibouti 10–0 at home.

In 2012, Zambia had their best Africa Cup of Nations ever. They won their group by beating Senegal and Equatorial Guinea. They also drew with Libya. In the knockout rounds, they defeated Sudan and Ghana. They reached the final against Ivory Coast. After a 0–0 draw, Zambia won their first title in a dramatic Penalty shootout.

Team Kit Providers

The national football team of Zambia faced Tanzania in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

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

Recent Matches and Future Games

The Zambian team has played several matches recently. In 2024, they played in the World Cup qualifiers and the 2024 COSAFA Cup. They also played in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers. They won against Sierra Leone, Chad, and Ivory Coast in the AFCON qualifiers.

Looking ahead to 2025, Zambia has more matches scheduled. These include friendly games and more World Cup and COSAFA Cup qualifiers. They have also qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Team Managers

Aljoša Asanović coached the national football team of Zambia

Avram Grant became the manager of the national football team of Zambia in 2022

Many different coaches have led the Zambian national team over the years. Some have been from Zambia, while others have come from different countries. The current coach is Avram Grant, who started in 2022.

• Ted Virba (1978)
• Brian Tiler (1978–80)
• Ted Dumitru (1980–81)
• Ante Bušelić (1981–82)
• Bill McGarry (1982–83)
• Wieslaw Grabowski (1983–84)
• Jeff Butler (1984)
• Roy Mulenga (1984)
• Brightwell Banda (1984–86)
• Samuel Ndhlovu (1987–92)
• Moses Simwala (1993)
• Godfrey Chitalu (1993)
• Roald Poulsen (1993–94)
• Ian Porterfield (1994)
• Roald Poulsen (1994–96)
• Freddie Mwila (1996–97)
• George Mungwa (1997)
• Burkhard Ziese (1997–98)
• George Mungwa (1998)
• Obby Kapita (1998)
• Fighton Simukonda (1998)
• Ben Bamfuchile (1999–2000)
• George Mungwa (2000)
• Jan Brouwer (2000–01)
• Roald Poulsen (2002)
• Patrick Phiri (2002–03)
• Kalusha Bwalya (2003–06)
• Patrick Phiri (2006–08)
• Hervé Renard (2008–10)
• Wedson Nyirenda & Honour Janza (2010)
• George Lwandamina (2010)
• Dario Bonetti (2010–11)
• Hervé Renard (2011–13)
• Patrice Beaumelle (2013–14)
• Honour Janza (2014–15)
• George Lwandamina (2015–16)
• Wedson Nyirenda (2016–18)
• Beston Chambeshi (2018)
• Sven Vandenbroeck (2018–19)
• Aggrey Chiyangi (2019–20)
• Milutin Sredojević (2020–21)
• Beston Chambeshi (2021–22)
• Aljoša Asanović (2022)
• Moses Sichone (2022)
• Avram Grant (2022–)

Current Players

This is the list of players who were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches in October 2024.

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 27)	20	0	Power Dynamos
	1GK	Francis Mwansa	(2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 23)	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 29)	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 26)	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	Hapoel Be'er Sheva
	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

Player Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Zambia. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the national team.

Most Games Played

Top Goal Scorers

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

Zambia has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They have tried many times since 1970 but have not yet made it to the biggest football tournament in the world.

Africa Cup of Nations

Zambia has a strong history in the Africa Cup of Nations. They have played in the tournament 19 times. Their best achievement was winning the title in 2012. They also finished as runners-up twice, in 1974 and 1994. They came in third place three times: in 1982, 1990, and 1996.

COSAFA Cup

The Zambian team has been very successful in the COSAFA Cup, a regional tournament for Southern African teams. They have won the COSAFA Cup seven times, making them the most successful team in its history. Their wins were in 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, and 2023. They have also been runners-up six times.

Team Achievements

Continental Awards

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

Regional Awards

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

Special Awards

• African National Team of the Year: 2012

Summary of Wins

Senior Competitions				Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	1	2	3	6
CAF African Nations Championship	0	0	1	1
Total	1	2	4	7

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Zambia para niños