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Zambia national football team facts for kids

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Zambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
Association Football Association of Zambia
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Avram Grant
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 Increase 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 15 (February – May 1996, August 1996)
Lowest 102 (February 2011)
Elo ranking
Current 101 Decrease 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
 Congo DR 10–1 Zambia 
(DR Congo; 22 November 1969)
 Belgium 9–0 Zambia 
(Brussels, Belgium; 3 June 1994)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 17 (first in 1974)
Best result Champions (2012)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances 19 (first in 1997)
Best result Champions (1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022)
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
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 men's international association football and it is governed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). During the 1980s, they were known as the KK 11, after founding president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda ("KK") who ruled Zambia from 1964 to 1991. After the country adopted multiparty politics, the side was nicknamed Chipolopolo, the "Copper Bullets". The team has three Africa Cup of Nations final appearances to its credit, winning the 2012 tournament with victory over Ivory Coast in the final. The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

History

Early years (1929–1970)

Zambia's first official match, following their acceptance into FIFA, was played on July 3, 1964, at home against Tanzania, which ended with a victory for the Chipolopolos 1–0. "Chipolopolos" is the nickname of the Zambian team, which means "Copper Bullets" due to the abundance of copper in Zambia. During the match, Zambia was not yet independent as Zambian independence from the United Kingdom occurred on the October 24, 1964. On November 22, 1969, Zambia suffered one of the two biggest defeats in its history against DR Congo 10–1. Since the 1970 World Cup qualifiers, Zambia has failed to qualify for a World Cup finals tournament.

African Cup of Nations 1974

After two previous attempts to participate in the African Cup of Nations, the Zambia national football team succeeded in qualifying for the first time in 1974. In the first round, they beat Côte d'Ivoire (1–0, goal from Simon Kaushi), lost against Egypt (1-3, goal from Godfrey Chitalu) and beat Uganda (1–0, goal from Obby Kapita), finishing second in the group and qualified for the semi-finals, where they beat Congo (4–2, a Bernard Chanda hat-trick and Joseph Mapulanga's goal). In the final, Zaire and Zambia drew 2-2 (goals from Simon Kaushi and Brighton Sinyangwe) and had to have a replay for the title but, two days after the first match, Zambia lost 2-0 and saw their title aspirations disappear. However this was viewed with great pride considering it was their first participation in the tournament.

1974–1993

After their appearance in the final in 1974, the Zambian football team failed to qualify for the following tournament in 1976. In 1978, Zambia was eliminated in the first round with a single victory (2–0 against Burkina Faso, goals from Patrick Phiri and Bizwell Phiri), a draw (0–0 against Nigeria) and a defeat (1–2 against Ghana, goal from Obby Kapita). In 1980, they failed to qualify; but in 1982 they again reached the semi-finals and took third place, beating Algeria, having lost to Libya in the semis. In 1984, Zambia did not qualify; in 1986, they reached the first round with a point collected against Algeria (0–0). In 1988, they did not qualify. In 1990, after finishing first in the group, Zambia lost in the semi-finals against Nigeria, but beat Senegal (1–0, goal from Webster Chikabala) to collect third place. In 1992, Zambia was beaten in the quarters by Côte d'Ivoire (0-1). This period shows that Zambia is a good footballing power but it shows irregularity in a few first rounds and non-qualifiers.

Zambian Air Force Flight 319

Tragedy struck the Zambian team when the military plane (REG: AF-319) transporting the team to Senegal for a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier crashed late in the evening, on April 27, 1993. Three stops were planned for re-fuelling, but at the first stop, in Brazzaville, engine problems were noted on the Buffalo DHC-5D of the Zambia Air Force. Despite this, the flight continued and a few minutes after take-off from Libreville, Gabon, where the second stopover had taken place, one of the engines caught fire and stopped. The pilot, who had already made a flight from Mauritius the day before, accidentally shut down the engine, which was still running. The loss of power, during the climb after take-off, caused the plane to fall and crash into the water 500m off the coast. All 30 passengers and crew, including 18 players, were killed in the accident.

Team captain and coach Kalusha Bwalya was not on board. Held in the Netherlands for a match with his club, PSV Eindhoven, he was to join Senegal separately for the qualifying match. A new team was quickly created, coached by Kalusha: he had the difficult task of leading Zambia through qualification for the FIFA World Cup and then preparing for the qualifications for the next Africa Cup of Nations. It was probably an impossible mission and Zambia did not qualify for the World Cup.

List of players killed in the 1993 plane crash

Goalkeepers: David Chabala and Richard Mwanza.
Defenders: Kenan Simambe, Winter Mumba, Samuel Chomba, Whiteson Changwe, Robert Watiyakeni and John Soko.
Midfielders: Eston Mulenga, Derby Makinka, Moses Chikwalakwala, Wisdom Mumba Chansa, Godfrey Kangwa and Numba Mwila.
Forwards: Kelvin Mutale, Timothy Mwitwa, Moses Masuwa and Patrick Banda.
Coaches: Godfrey Chitalu, Alex Chola and Wilson Sakala.
Also on board were the two pilots, the flight crew, the FAZ chairman, a ZANA journalist and a public servant from the Ministry of Sport.

African Cup of Nations 1994

In 1994, after a draw against Sierra Leone (0–0), Zambia beat Côte d'Ivoire (1–0, goal from Kenneth Malitoli) and finished first in the group. In the quarterfinals, they beat Senegal (1–0, goal from Evans Sakala), then in the semi-finals, Zambia beat Mali (4–0, goals from Elijah Litana, Zeddy Saileti, Kalusha Bwalya and Kenneth Malitoli). In the final, in Tunis, they faced Nigeria and despite the opening goal of Elijah Litana in the 3rd minute, Nigeria won 2–1.

1994–2012

On June 3, 1994, in Brussels, the Zambian football team succumbed to one of its worst losses in its history against Belgium, losing 9–0. At CAN 1996, they finished first in the group with two victories (5–1 against Burkina Faso, goals from Kenneth Malitoli, double from Kalusha Bwalya, goals from Dennis Lota and Johnson Bwalya); 4–0 against Sierra Leone (a hattrick from Kalusha Bwalya and goal from Mordon Malitoli) and a draw (0–0 against Algeria), beat Egypt (3–1) in the quarterfinals and loses in semis against Tunisia (2–4) but took third place over Ghana (1–0, goal from Johnson Bwalya). Kalusha Bwalya was the best in the competition with 5 goals. From 1998 to 2006, Zambia did not pass the first round, except in 2004 when they failed to qualify. On September 3, 2006, at home, Zambia achieved the biggest victory in its history against Djibouti, winning 10–0. During the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia finished third in the group with a 3–0 victory against Sudan (goals by James Chamanga, Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo), a draw (1–1 against Egypt, goal from Chris Katongo) and loss (1–5 against Cameroon, goal from Chris Katongo). In 2010, Zambia finished first in her group and faced Nigeria in the quarter-finals where she lost on penalties. Jacob Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola were included in the tournament's Best XI.

COSAFA Cup

The Zambia national football team has participated in the COSAFA Cup in all its editions, and has won it a joint record six times in (1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019 and 2022) and a six-time losing finalist in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017 and 2018. In 2005, Collins Mbesuma was the competition's top scorer with 4 goals.

African Cup of Nations 2012

The football team Zambia finished 1st in their group as they beat Senegal (1-2, goals from Emmanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba) then they shared the points with Libya (2-2, goals from Mayuka and Christopher Katongo) and finally they beat Equatorial Guinea (0-1, goal from C. Katongo). In the quarter-finals, Zambia eliminated Sudan (3-0, goals from Stoppila Sunzu, C. Katongo and James Chamanga). In the semi-finals, Zambia eliminated Ghana 1–0, Emmanuel Mayuka scoring the only goal of the game. In the final, Zambia held Côte d'Ivoire in check (0–0) and won on penalties (8–7) Watch

At the end of this 28th edition of the African Cup, captain Chris Katongo finished best player in competition as well as joint-top scorer with Emmanuel Mayuka for Zambia.

2013–present

In 2013, Zambia was eliminated in the first round of CAN 2013 without losing a single match (three draws). Two years later, after complicated qualifiers, Zambia qualifies once again for AFCON but is again eliminated in the first round. Zambia failed to reach the finals for the first time in 13 years for the 2017 competition and losing out to Guinea-Bissau. For CAN 2019 qualification, the Chipolopolos again failed to progress, finishing last with 7 points, one point less than Namibia, in 2nd, and two points fewer than Guinea-Bissau who finished top of the group. It is a huge disappointment for Zambia which misses a 2nd consecutive CAN even though it had won the competition 7 years earlier and was seeded at the time of the draw. The qualifying for the CAN 2022 were also difficult for Zambia, finishing 3rd and a point off of Zimbabwe who occupied the final qualification spot.

Kit provider

Kit provider Period
Germany Adidas 1993–1996
Germany Puma 1997–2000
Italy Diadora 2001–2002
England Umbro 2003
United States Nike 2004–2015
Italy Kappa 2016
Singapore Mafro 2017
Zambia KoPa 2018–present

Recent schedule and results

The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss

2022

2023

Managers

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Zambia Ted Virba (1978)
  • England Brian Tiler (1978–80)
  • Romania Ted Dumitru (1980–81)
  • Yugoslavia Ante Bušelić (1981–82)
  • England Bill McGarry (1982–83)
  • Poland Wieslaw Grabowski (1983–84)
  • England Jeff Butler (1984)
  • Zambia Roy Mulenga (1984)
  • Zambia Brightwell Banda (1984–86)
  • Zambia Samuel Ndhlovu (1987–92)
  • Zambia Moses Simwala (1993)
  • Zambia Godfrey Chitalu (1993)
  • Denmark Roald Poulsen (1993–94)
  • Scotland Ian Porterfield (1994)
  • Denmark Roald Poulsen (1994–96)
  • Zambia Freddie Mwila (1996–97)
  • Zambia George Mungwa (1997)
  • Germany Burkhard Ziese (1997–98)
  • Zambia George Mungwa (1998)
  • Zambia Obby Kapita (1998)
  • Zambia Fighton Simukonda (1998)
  • Zambia Ben Bamfuchile (1999–00)
  • Zambia George Mungwa (2000)
  • Netherlands Jan Brouwer (2000-01)
  • Denmark Roald Poulsen (2002)
  • Zambia Patrick Phiri (2002–03)
  • Zambia Kalusha Bwalya (2003–06)
  • Zambia Patrick Phiri (2006–08)
  • France Hervé Renard (2008–10)
  • Zambia Wedson Nyirenda & Zambia Honour Janza (2010)
  • Zambia George Lwandamina (2010)
  • Italy Dario Bonetti (2010–11)
  • France Hervé Renard (2011–2013)
  • France Patrice Beaumelle (2013–2014)
  • Zambia Honour Janza (2014–2015)
  • Zambia George Lwandamina (2015–2016)
  • Zambia Wedson Nyirenda (2016–2018)
  • Zambia Beston Chambeshi (2018)
  • Belgium Sven Vandenbroeck (2018–2019)
  • Zambia Aggrey Chiyangi (2019–2020)
  • Serbia Milutin Sredojević (2020–2021)
  • Zambia Beston Chambeshi (2021–2022)
  • Croatia Aljosa Asanovic (2022)
  • Zambia Moses Sichone (2022)
  • Israel Avram Grant (2022-present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Mali on 23 and 27 September 2022.

Caps and goals correct as of 17 July 2022, after the match against Namibia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Toaster Nsabata (1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 (age 30) 34 0 South Africa Sekhukhune United
1GK Charles Kalumba (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 27) 4 0 Zambia Red Arrows
1GK Lawrence Mulenga (1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Zambia Power Dynamos

2DF Benedict Chepeshi (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 27) 33 0 Zambia Red Arrows
2DF Dominic Chanda (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 27) 23 1 Zambia Kabwe Warriors
2DF Tandi Mwape (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 (age 27) 20 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe
2DF Shemmy Mayembe (1997-11-22) 22 November 1997 (age 26) 11 0 Zambia ZESCO United
2DF Luka Chamanga (1991-06-04) 4 June 1991 (age 32) 5 0 Zambia Power Dynamos
2DF Allan Kapila (1995-06-04) 4 June 1995 (age 28) 5 0 Zambia Red Arrows
2DF Frankie Musonda (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 25) 4 1 Scotland Ayr United
2DF Miguel Chaiwa (2004-06-07) 7 June 2004 (age 19) 1 0 Switzerland Young Boys

3MF Kelvin Kampamba (1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 (age 27) 37 6 Zambia ZESCO United
3MF Rodrick Kabwe (1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 31) 34 0 South Africa Sekhukhune United
3MF Clatous Chama (1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 32) 30 5 Tanzania Simba
3MF Kings Kangwa (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 24) 15 3 Serbia Red Star Belgrade
3MF Emmanuel Banda (1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 (age 26) 14 0 Sweden Djurgårdens
3MF Edward Chilufya (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 24) 6 0 Denmark Midtjylland

4FW Patson Daka (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 25) 31 9 England Leicester City
4FW Evans Kangwa (1992-10-09) 9 October 1992 (age 31) 31 4 Russia Arsenal Tula
4FW Fashion Sakala (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 26) 19 6 Scotland Rangers
4FW Ricky Banda (2001-03-03) 3 March 2001 (age 22) 5 1 Zambia Red Arrows

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Zambia in the last 12 months.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Cyril Chibwe (1993-06-17) 17 June 1993 (age 30) 12 0 Zambia ZESCO United 2022 COSAFA Cup
GK Kelvin Malunga (1994-02-23) 23 February 1994 (age 29) 0 0 Zambia Nkana v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
DF Prosper Chiluya (1998-04-02) 2 April 1998 (age 25) 12 0 Zambia Red Arrows v.  Benin, 27 March 2022
DF Aimé Mabika (1998-08-16) 16 August 1998 (age 25) 1 0 United States Inter Miami v.  Benin, 27 March 2022
DF Donashano Malama (1991-09-01) 1 September 1991 (age 32) 38 1 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
DF Simon Silwimba (1991-12-25) 25 December 1991 (age 31) 24 1 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
DF Solomon Sakala (1997-04-28) 28 April 1997 (age 26) 12 0 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022

MF Lubambo Musonda (1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 (age 28) 41 2 Denmark Horsens 2022 COSAFA Cup
MF Spencer Sautu (1994-10-05) 5 October 1994 (age 29) 34 4 Zambia Power Dynamos 2022 COSAFA Cup
MF Prince Mumba (2001-03-24) 24 March 2001 (age 22) 11 1 Croatia Istra 2022 COSAFA Cup
MF Larry Bwalya (1995-05-29) 29 May 1995 (age 28) 7 0 Tanzania Simba 2022 COSAFA Cup
MF Lameck Banda (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 22) 4 0 Italy Lecce 2022 COSAFA Cup
MF Enock Mwepu (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 25) 24 6 Retired v.  Mali, 23 and 27 September 2022 RET
MF Harrison Chisala (1997-08-04) 4 August 1997 (age 26) 2 0 Zambia Nkana v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
MF Chanda Mukuka (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022

FW Gamphani Lungu (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25) 15 0 South Africa SuperSport United 2022 COSAFA Cup
FW Alex Ngonga (1992-08-21) 21 August 1992 (age 31) 20 1 Zambia Nkana v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
FW Albert Kangwanda (1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 (age 24) 7 2 Zambia Kafue Celtic v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
FW Patrick Gondwe (2002-06-05) 5 June 2002 (age 21) 7 0 Zambia Nkana v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022
FW Derrick Bulaya (2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 (age 20) 1 0 Zambia Green Eagles v.  Iraq, 18 March 2022

Notes
  • DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary Squad.
  • RET Player has retired from international football.
  • SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

Players in bold are still active with Zambia.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record

When the former British colony of Northern Rhodesia, Zambia did not participate in World Cup qualification play until after its independence in 1964. The country's football association was formed in 1929 and joined FIFA in 1964.

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 6 6
West Germany 1974 10 4 3 3 19 11
Argentina 1978 6 3 1 2 9 5
Spain 1982 4 2 1 1 6 2
Mexico 1986 6 2 1 3 8 6
Italy 1990 6 3 0 3 7 6
United States 1994 8 5 1 2 17 5
France 1998 8 3 2 3 10 8
South Korea Japan 2002 10 5 2 3 16 11
Germany 2006 13 7 4 2 21 11
South Africa 2010 10 3 3 4 4 6
Brazil 2014 6 3 2 1 11 4
Russia 2018 8 4 2 2 11 7
Qatar 2022 6 2 1 3 8 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 103 47 23 33 153 97

Africa Cup of Nations record

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Ghana 1963 Not affiliated to CAF
Tunisia 1965 Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970 Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 0 2 9 7
Ethiopia 1976 Did not qualify
Ghana 1978 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 2
Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify
Libya 1982 Third place 3rd 5 3 0 2 7 3
Côte d'Ivoire 1984 Did not qualify
Egypt 1986 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 4
Morocco 1988 Withdrew
Algeria 1990 Third place 3rd 5 3 1 1 3 2
Senegal 1992 Quarter-finals 7th 3 1 0 2 1 2
Tunisia 1994 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 7 2
South Africa 1996 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 15 6
Burkina Faso 1998 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 4 6
Ghana Nigeria 2000 13th 3 0 2 1 3 5
Mali 2002 14th 3 0 1 2 1 3
Tunisia 2004 Did not qualify
Egypt 2006 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 3 6
Ghana 2008 9th 3 1 1 1 5 6
Angola 2010 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 5 5
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 9 3
South Africa 2013 Group stage 12th 3 0 3 0 2 2
Equatorial Guinea 2015 13th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019
Cameroon 2021
Côte d'Ivoire 2023 To be determined
Guinea 2025
Total 1 Title 17/33 66 27 18 22 81 67

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup Record
Year Rank M W D L GF GA
1997 1st 5 3 2 0 11 4
1998 1st 5 3 2 0 5 2
1999 Semis-Final 2 0 1 1 1 2
2000 Quarter-Finals 2 1 1 0 3 0
2001 Semis-Final 3 1 2 0 3 2
2002 Semis-Final 2 1 0 1 3 1
2003 Semis-Final 2 1 1 0 5 3
2004 2nd 3 2 1 0 3 1
2005 2nd 4 2 1 1 7 3
2006 1st 4 4 0 0 8 1
2007 2nd 2 1 1 0 3 0
South Africa 2008 3rd 3 1 1 1 2 1
Zimbabwe 2009 2nd 3 2 0 1 4 3
Zambia 2013 1st 3 2 1 0 5 1
South Africa 2015 Plate final 3 1 1 1 3 1
Total 21/21 - - - - - -

Honours

Champions: Gold medal africa.svg 2012
Runners-up: Silver medal africa.svg 1974, Silver medal africa.svg 1994
COSAFA Cup
Champions: 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022
Runners-up: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2018
CECAFA Cup
Champions: 1984, 1991
Runners-up: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2006

See also

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