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Zambia women's national football team facts for kids

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Zambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Copper Queens
Association FAZ
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Bruce Mwape
Captain Barbra Banda
FIFA code ZAM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 114 Increase 2 (7 December 2018)
Highest 62 (August 2024)
Lowest 131 (October – December 2007)
First international
Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 5–3 Zambia 
(South Africa; 5 November 1994)
Biggest win
Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia 15–0 Mauritius 
(Ibhayi, South Africa; 1 August 2019)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia 3–10 Netherlands 
(Rifu, Japan; 21 July 2021)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (first in 2023)
Best result Group stage (2023)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 4 (first in 1995)
Best result Third place (2022)
Summer Olympics
Appearances 2 (first in 2020)
Best result Group stage (2020, 2024)

The Zambia women's national association football team represents Zambia in association football, participating in qualifying tournaments for the FIFA Women's World Cup and other African-based competitions. It made its debut in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, becoming the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either men's or women's soccer.

History

Zambia became an official women's national team in 1983, and was one of the first African women's national football teams to exist on the continent.

In 2003, the kit for the team was provided as a result of a sponsorship deal with Umbro who first agreed to sponsor the Zambia national football team. The team's official kit colours include green shorts, a green jersey and green socks.

Some matches were played in 1994, for qualification for 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. Zambia played in a 5 November 1994 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in South Africa, where Zambia lost 3–5. In the return match in Lusaka, Zambia on 17 November 1994, Zambia lost with a score of 2–6.

Between these games and 2001, it did not play in any FIFA sanctioned matches. It participated in the 2002 COSAFA Cup women's tournament in Harare, Zimbabwe. It was in Group A. It beat the Malawi women's national football team 8–0 on 20 April. It played against Zimbabwe women's national football team on 22 April where Zambia lost 0–4. On 23 April, it beat Lesotho women's national football team 3–1. It finished second in its group. On 26 April, it lost to South Africa women's national football team 1–3 in the semifinals. It went on to beat Mozambique women's national football team 1–0 in the third place game, with Julia Siame scoring the only goal in the 60th minute. Later that year, in a regional qualifying match for a different tournament, on 21 September in Lusaka, Zambia against South Africa, the team lost 1–4 after being down 0–2 at the half. In the return match in South Africa on 12 October 2002, it lost 0–4. By 2003, it was ranked the 106th best women's national team by FIFA.

In 2004, its rank dropped to 113. That year, the team was coached by Cephias Katongo, who was coaching the Zambia national under-17 football team and a top-level club team at the same time. In 2004, Zimbabwe women's national football team had committed to play a match against Zambia before Zimbabwe took on Tanzania in Dar e Salaam and this did not happen because of organizational problems by Zimbabwe Football Association.

In 2005, the team's FIFA ranking was unchanged and remained at 113, with it playing in no FIFA recognised matches. The following year, in 2006, Zambia world ranking dropped down to 126. That year, the head coach was George Chikokola. In March 2006, the team played a home and away set of against Congo DR. On Saturday, 11 March 2006 in a game played in Lubumbashi, Congo DR won 3–0 against Zambia. Congo DR led 1–0 at the half. On Saturday, 25 March 2006 in a game played in Chingola, Zambia lost 2–3, a score that remained the same from half time, against Congo DR.

In 2006, Zambia hosted a regional COSAFA women's football tournament. Originally nine countries were scheduled to participate but Mozambique withdrew and the number was cut to eight. South Africa won the tournamet and Zambia came out as third place winner.

The 2006 team had 20 players. The regional COSAFA championship team was announced on 18 August 2006. The 2006 Confederation of Southern African Football Associations women's tournament was held in Lusaka. It was in Group A. On 22 August, it tied Namibia 2–2 with Noria Sosala scoring in the 15th minute and Charity Mpongo scoring in the 30th minute for Zambia. It beat Swaziland 7–0 on 24 August, with Charity Mpongo scoring in the 23rd, 43rd, 64th and 67th minutes, Susan Banda scoring in the 37th minute, Gift Lishika scoring in the 41st minute, and Martha Kapombo scoring in the 56th minute for Zambia. It finished in the top of its group. On 25 August in a semifinal against Namibia, it tied 1–1 with Martha Kapombo scoring its only goal in the 90th minute. It lost the game in an overtime shoot out by 4–5. On 26 August, it beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to finish third with Noria Sosala scoring both goals in the 67th and 75th minutes.

2007 saw an improvement in rank for Zambia, moving up 9 sports to 117 best team in the world. That year, the team was supported to participate in the 2007 African Games qualifying tournament, opening against the Mozambique women's national football team and Zambia withdrew from the tournament before it played a single game. Later that year, on Sunday, 2 December 2007 in a game played in Harare, Zimbabwe won 3–1 against Zambia. The game was part of the 2008 African Women Championship. In the return match on Sunday, 16 December 2007 in a game played in Lusaka, Zambia won 2–1 against Zimbabwe.

In 2008, the team's ranking again went up, this time to 110. The played 1 FIFA recognised match on Sunday, 4 May 2008 in a game played in Benguela against Botswana. Zambia won 4–2, holding on from a 3–1 score at the half. In 2009, FIFA ranked the country as the 92 in the world. That year, it did not play any FIFA recognised matches. The team's world ranking fell in 2010 to 122. That year, it played in 2 FIFA recognised matches. The first was on Saturday, 2 October 2010 in a game played in Lobatse against Botswana, which Zambia won 4–1, holding on to a 3–0 half time lead. The second game was on Saturday, 23 October 2010 in a game played in Lusaka. Zambia won 2–1 against Botswana holding on to a 1–0 half time lead.

Zambia team's rank fell in 2011, this time to 125th best in the world. It did not make it into the final group qualification round for the CAF region that fought it out to represent Africa in the World Cup. In January, the team played a pair of games against South Africa. It lost the 15 January game in Lusaka 1–2, going down with a score of 0–0 at the half. It lost the 29 January game in Umlazi 0–3 after being down 0–1 at the half. Later that year, it played 3 games in Harare against South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana. On Saturday, 2 July, South Africa won 4–1 against Zambia. On Sunday, 3 July, Zambia won 4–1 against Tanzania. On Tuesday, 5 July, Botswana lost 1–4 against Zambia. The country did not have a team competing at the 2011 All Africa Games. Going into the 2012 season, the team coach is Enala Phiri-Simbeye, a woman with Deborah Chisanga serving as the team's skipper. On 14 January 2012, it played a game against Malawi that it won 7–0 after being ahead 4–0 at the half. The game was part of the CAF African Women's Championship and was played in the first round and played in Lusaka. Prior to the start of the game, the team danced on the field and sang Chikokishi music. Malawi beat Zambia 4–2 following a 1–0 lead at halftime in the return leg played in Blantyre, Malawi on 29 January 2012. Suzan Banda scored the second goal of the game, and the first for Zambia in the match. Mupopa Kawange scored Zambia's second goal. Zambia had a number of fans, most women, who attended the game in Malawi. In March 2012, the team was ranked the 126th best in the world and the 19th best in CAF.

In the African qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics, it defeated Cameroon in the final round and qualified for the Olympics for the first time. In its Olympics debut, it experienced a 3–10 loss to the Netherlands, the highest-scoring women's soccer match in Olympics history.

Olympic team

For the 2012 Summer Olympics, there are no age restrictions for players, and Zambia has opted to qualify with a U20/U23 side. Zambia competed in the qualifying tournament in an effort to represent the country at the 2012 Summer Olympics. The qualification tournament started in 2010. The team was coached by Enala Phiri-Simbeye. During its campaign, it beat the Botswana women's national football team 4–1 in Gaborone and beat it 2–1 in Lusaka. The performance of the team earned praise from women's groups inside the country. In January 2011, Zambia had to face South Africa in the qualifying tournament for the Olympics. The squad named to play against South Africa included goalkeepers Mirriam Katamanda, Ennie Matukuta, Defenders Meya Banda, Verocia Chiluba, Jessica Chabota, Mulai Wilombe, Deborah Chisenga, Veronica Chisala, Midfielders Misozi Zulu, Susan Banda, Etas Banda, Fostina Sakala, Kabange Mupopo, Rachel Chisha, Chisala Musonda, and Strikers Mwila Bowa, Noria Sosala, Gift Lisaka and Ednasha Mambwe. Chiluba is the second daughter of Zambia's president.

Coached by Enala Simbeya, Zambia's U23 team participated in the 2011 All-Africa Games qualifiers. They played a pair of games against Zimbabwe. On Sunday, 13 February 2011 in a game played at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe won 1–0 against Zambia, overcoming a half time score of 0–0. On the return leg played on Sunday, 27 February 2011 in a game played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia lost 1–3 to Zimbabwe, scoring a goal in the second half with the first half ending with Zambia down 0–3. Simbeya did not name their 18-woman team until a day before the game. The loss eliminated them, with Zimbabwe going on to play Angola.

Homeless World Cup team

In 2008, a team represented the country at the Homeless World Cup. In round robin play, it won every game and were Crowned Champions. The tournament was held in Australia Melbourne. It beat Paraguay 6–1, Uganda 6–1, Kyrgyzstan 5–4, Liberia 4–1, Cameroon 17–0, Australia 18–1 and Colombia 10–1. In the half finals, it beat Kyrgyzstan 10–0. In the final, it beat Liberia 7–1.

2023 World Cup

Zambia qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, making the country the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either gender. By reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations it secured qualification. It was in Group C along with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica. Its opening match against Japan ended in a 5-0 defeat. Its second match was a loss to Spain by the same 5-0 score, leading to their elimination from the Group Stage alongside Costa Rica. Their final game, which was played against Costa Rica, ended with a 3-1 win to Zambia as they placed third within Group C on three points. In this game Barbra Banda scored Zambia's first World Cup goal, which was also the 1,000th goal in Women's World Cup history.

Fixtures

Legend

      Win       Draw       Loss       Void and postponed       Fixture

2023

2024

  • Fixtures and Results – Soccerway.com
  • Global sport

Managers

  • Zambia Charles Bwale (2014)
  • Zambia Albert Kachinga (2014–2018)
  • Zambia Bruce Mwape (2018–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called as squad for the 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship on 17 October 2024.

Caps and goals accurate up to and including 18 April 2021.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Mwale, ChimwemweChimwemwe Mwale (1997-07-18)18 July 1997 (aged 27) Zambia Red Arrows
1GK Namonje, AnnieAnnie Namonje
18 1GK Musole, NgamboNgambo Musole (1998-06-26) 26 June 1998 (age 26) Zambia Green Buffaloes

2 2DF Kipimpi, MelodyMelody Kipimpi (1996-12-01)01 December 1996 (aged 27) Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls
2DF Banda, MarthaMartha Banda Zambia Green Buffaloes
2DF Miselo, TaboTabo Miselo Zambia National Assembly
5 2DF Zulu, PaulinePauline Zulu (2004-10-03) 3 October 2004 (age 20) Zambia Elite Ladies
2DF Belemu, MargaretMargaret Belemu (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 26 2 China Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank [zh]
16 2DF Muchinga, EstherEsther Muchinga (2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 (age 24)
19 2DF Chomba, JacklineJackline Chomba (1996-04-06)06 April 1996 (aged 28) Zambia ZISD
2 2DF Banda, DianaDiana Banda (2002-09-05) September 5, 2002 (age 22) Zambia Green Buffaloes

6 3MF Mushota, EstherEsther Mushota (1999-07-12)12 July 1999 (aged 25) Zambia Indeni Roses
7 3MF Mambwe, MaryMary Mambwe (2002-10-27)27 October 2002 (aged 21) Zambia Red Arrows
10 3MF Chanda, ReginaRegina Chanda (2002-06-22)22 June 2002 (aged 22) Zambia ZANACO Ladies
11 3MF Mukoma, FridahFridah Mukoma (2006-10-13)13 October 2006 (aged 18) Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls
3MF Katongo, EvarineEvarine Katongo (2002-12-29) 29 December 2002 (age 21) 12 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes
14 3MF Banda, BupeBupe Banda (2006-12-12)12 December 2006 (aged 17) Zambia Red Arrows
17 3MF Mulenga, MajoryMajory Mulenga (2003-08-17)17 August 2003 (aged 21) Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls
3MF Mukisi, RuthRuth Mukisi

9 4FW Ochumba, LubandjiLubandji Ochumba (2001-07-01)01 July 2001 (aged 23) Zambia Red Arrows
15 4FW Nanyangwe, NatashaNatasha Nanyangwe (1999-06-27)27 June 1999 (aged 25) Zambia Green Buffaloes
4FW Mubanga, CharityCharity Mubanga (1992-09-21) 21 September 1992 (age 32) Zambia Zesco
4FW Namasiku, LungoweLungowe Namasiku Zambia ZISD

Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up to a squad in 12 months preceding the above draft.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Munsaka, ChiteteChitete Munsaka (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) Zambia 2024 Summer Olympics
GK Tonge, LovenessLoveness Tonge (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 21) 0 Zambia Green Eagles v.Flag of Ghana.svg Ghana, 23 February 2024
GK Lungu, LeticiaLeticia Lungu (2004-08-07) 7 August 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Zambia ZESCO United v.Flag of Ghana.svg GhanaPRE, 28 February 2024
GK Musonda, CatherineCatherine Musonda (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 (age 26) 3 0 2024 Summer Olympics
GK Sakala, EuniceEunice Sakala (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 (age 22) Zambia Nkwazi 2024 Summer Olympics

DF Banda, EstherEsther Banda (2004-11-21) 21 November 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
DF Soko, JudithJudith Soko (2004-03-31) 31 March 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Zambia YASA 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
DF Chella, ThelmaThelma Chella 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
DF Kapombo, NatashaNatasha Kapombo Zambia INDENI Roses 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
DF Mulenga, MaryMary Mulenga (1998-04-11) 11 April 1998 (age 26) Zambia Red Arrows 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
DF Mubanga, BernadetteBernadette Mubanga v.Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco, 9 April 2024
DF Cheela, ThelmaThelma Cheela (2004-11-28) 28 November 2004 (age 20) 0 Zambia v.Flag of Angola.svg Angola ,5 December 2023
DF Tembo, MarthaMartha Tembo (1998-03-08) 8 March 1998 (age 26) 21 0 Turkey Hakkarigücü Spor 2024 Summer Olympics
DF Mweemba, LushomoLushomo Mweemba (2001-04-10) 10 April 2001 (age 23) 27 1 Turkey Hakkarigücü Spor 2024 Summer Olympics
DF Siamfuko, EstherEsther Siamfuko (2004-08-08) 8 August 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes 2024 Summer Olympics
DF Phiri, VastVast Phiri (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 28) 1 0 Zambia ZESCO United 2024 Summer Olympics

MF Lungu, IreenIreen Lungu (1997-10-06) 6 October 1997 (age 27) 16 4 China Jiangsu Yinhao 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
MF Selemani, ComfortComfort Selemani (2004-02-08) 8 February 2004 (age 20) Zambia Elite Ladies 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
MF Phiri, SalomeSalome Phiri (2002-12-08) 8 December 2002 (age 22) Zambia Green Buffaloes v.Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco, 9 April 2024
MF Maluba, MapaloMapalo Maluba v.Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco, 9 April 2024
MF Banda, SusanSusan Banda (1990-07-06) 6 July 1990 (age 34) Zambia Red Arrows v.Flag of Angola.svg Angola, 5 December 2023
MF Chanda, GraceGrace Chanda (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 27) 28 10 Spain Madrid CFF 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Zulu, MisoziMisozi Zulu (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 (age 30) 12 0 Turkey Hakkarigücü Spor 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Chanda, HellenHellen Chanda (1995-05-23) 23 May 1995 (age 29) Turkey Hakkarigücü Spor 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Chileshe, RhodaRhoda Chileshe (1998-05-08) 8 May 1998 (age 26) Zambia Indeni Roses 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Chitundu, AvellAvell Chitundu (1997-07-30) 30 July 1997 (age 27) 19 3 Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Wilombe, MaryMary Wilombe (1997-09-22) 22 September 1997 (age 27) 22 1 Zambia Red Arrows 2024 Summer Olympics
MF Chilufya, PriscaPrisca Chilufya (1999-06-08) 8 June 1999 (age 25) Mexico Juárez 2024 Summer Olympics

FW Phiri, EnelessEneless Phiri (2003-06-02) 2 June 2003 (age 21) Zambia Nkwazi Queens 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
FW Phiri, AgnessAgness Phiri (2003-04-11) 11 April 2003 (age 21) Zambia 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
FW Kabwe, FridahFridah Kabwe Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
FW Mubanga, HellenHellen Mubanga Zambia ZESCO Ndola Girls 2024 Summer Olympics PRE
FW Banda, FlorenceFlorence Banda Zambia National Assembly v.Flag of Ghana.svg GhanaPRE, 28 February 2024
FW Betani, NorinNorin Betani Zambia INDENI Roses 2024 Olympic qualifying 3rd R †
FW Banda, BarbraBarbra Banda (2000-03-20) 20 March 2000 (age 24) 10 22 United States Orlando Pride 2024 Summer Olympics
FW Kundananji, RachealRacheal Kundananji (2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 24) 7 6 United States Bay FC 2024 Summer Olympics
FW Mupopo, KabangeKabange Mupopo (1992-09-12) September 12, 1992 (age 32) Zambia Green Buffaloes 2024 Summer Olympics
FW Nachula, RachealRacheal Nachula (2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 24) 7 6 Israel Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem [he] 2024 Summer Olympics
FW Oseke, OchumbaOchumba Oseke (2002-07-01) 1 July 2002 (age 22) 20 4 Zambia Red Arrows 2024 Summer Olympics

INJ Injured player.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Retired from international football.
SUS Suspended for the next match.
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
QUA Placed in quarantine after a contact with COVID-19.

Previous squads

FIFA Women's World Cup
  • 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squads
Africa Women Cup of Nations
  • 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations squads
COSAFA Women's Championship
  • 2020 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
  • 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
  • 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
Turkish Women's Cup
  • 2023 Turkish Women's Cup squads

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

Zambia made its World Cup debut on 22 July 2023.

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
China 1991 Did not enter
Sweden 1995 Did not qualify
United States 1999 Did not enter
United States 2003 Did not qualify
China 2007
Germany 2011 Did not enter
Canada 2015 Did not qualify
France 2019
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Group stage 3 1 0 2 3 11
Brazil 2027 To be determined
Total 3 1 0 2 3 11

Olympic Games

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
United States 1996 Did not qualify
Australia 2000 Did not enter
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012 Did not qualify
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020 Group stage 3 0 1 2 7 15
France 2024 Group stage 3 0 0 3 6 13
Total 2/5 6 0 1 5 13 28

Africa Cup

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
1991 Withdrew
1995 Quarter-finals 2 0 0 2 5 11
Nigeria 1998 Did not enter
South Africa 2000
Nigeria 2002 Did not qualify
South Africa 2004 Did not enter
Nigeria 2006 Did not qualify
Equatorial Guinea 2008
South Africa 2010 Did not enter
Equatorial Guinea 2012 Did not qualify
Namibia 2014 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 9
Cameroon 2016 Did not qualify
Ghana 2018 Group stage 3 1 1 1 6 5
Morocco 2022 Third place 6 3 2 1 7 3
Morocco 2024 Qualified
Total 14 4 4 6 19 28

African Games

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Nigeria 2003 Did not enter
Algeria 2007
Mozambique 2011 Did not qualify
Republic of the Congo 2015 Did not qualify
Morocco 2019
Ghana 2023 See U-20 team
Total

COSAFA Championship

Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA GD
Zimbabwe 2002 3rd
Zambia 2006 3rd
Angola 2008
Zimbabwe 2011 Group stage 3 1 0 2 5 7 −1
Zimbabwe 2017 3rd 5 2 3 0 18 9 +2
South Africa 2018 4th 5 3 0 2 6 2 +2
South Africa 2019 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 22 3 +19
South Africa 2020 3rd 3 1 0 2 9 3 +6
South Africa 2021 3rd 5 3 2 0 11 2 +9
South Africa 2023 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 10 4 +6
Total 31 16 7 8 81 30 +43
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Turkish Cup

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA GD
2021 Withdrew
Total
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