Zambia women's national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Zambia

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 2 (7 December 2018)
Highest	62 (August 2024)
Lowest	131 (October – December 2007)
First international
South Africa 5–3 Zambia  (South Africa; 5 November 1994)
Biggest win
Zambia 15–0 Mauritius  (Ibhayi, South Africa; 1 August 2019)
Biggest defeat
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 football team, also known as the Copper Queens, represents the country of Zambia in international football matches. They play in big tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and other African competitions. In 2023, they made history by playing in their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup. This made Zambia the first landlocked country in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either men's or women's football!

History of the Copper Queens

Zambia officially formed its women's national team in 1983. This made them one of the first women's football teams in Africa.

In 2003, the team got a sponsorship deal with Umbro for their uniforms. The official team colors are green shorts, a green jersey, and green socks.

Early Matches and Tournaments

The Copper Queens played their first World Cup qualification matches in 1994. They played against South Africa, losing both games. After these matches, they didn't play any FIFA-approved games for a few years.

In 2002, Zambia took part in the COSAFA Cup women's tournament in Zimbabwe. They played well, beating Malawi 8–0 and Lesotho 3–1. They finished second in their group. In the semi-finals, they lost to South Africa. However, they won the third-place game against Mozambique with a score of 1–0.

By 2003, FIFA ranked Zambia as the 106th best women's national team in the world. Their ranking changed over the years, sometimes going up and sometimes down.

Hosting the COSAFA Tournament

In 2006, Zambia hosted the regional COSAFA women's football tournament. Eight countries took part. Zambia played well in their group, tying Namibia 2–2 and beating Swaziland 7–0. They finished at the top of their group. In the semi-finals, they tied Namibia but lost in a penalty shootout. They then beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to finish in third place.

Olympic Dreams

Zambia has worked hard to qualify for the Summer Olympics. In 2020, they made history by qualifying for the 2020 Olympics for the first time! They beat Cameroon to earn their spot.

Their first Olympic game was tough, a 3–10 loss to the Netherlands. This game became the highest-scoring women's football match in Olympic history.

Homeless World Cup Team

In 2008, a special team represented Zambia at the Homeless World Cup. This tournament helps people who are homeless through football. The Zambian team did amazingly well! They won every game in the first round and became champions. They beat teams like Paraguay, Uganda, and even Australia with big scores. In the final, they won 7–1 against Liberia.

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Debut

Zambia qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was a huge achievement. They earned their spot by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

In the World Cup, Zambia was in Group C with Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica.

• Their first match against Japan ended in a 5–0 loss.
• Their second match was also a 5–0 loss to Spain. These two losses meant they were out of the tournament before their last group game.
• In their final game, they played against Costa Rica and won 3–1! This was a fantastic way to end their first World Cup.
• In this game, Barbra Banda scored Zambia's first-ever World Cup goal. This goal was also the 1,000th goal scored in the history of the Women's World Cup!

Recent Matches (2023-2024)

The Copper Queens continue to play in important matches and tournaments. Here are some of their recent results:

Legend

      Win       Draw       Loss       Void and postponed       Fixture

2023

• November 29: Zambia won 6–0 against Angola in a qualification match for the Africa Cup of Nations.
• December 5: Zambia won 6–0 against Angola in another qualification match. They won 12–0 overall!

2024

• February 23: Zambia won 1–0 against Ghana in an Olympic qualifying match.
• February 28: Zambia tied Ghana 3–3 in another Olympic qualifier, winning 4–3 overall to qualify for the Olympics!
• April 5: Zambia lost 1–2 to Morocco in an Olympic qualifying match.
• April 9: Zambia won 2–0 against Morocco in extra time, winning 3–2 overall to qualify for the Olympics again!
• July 13: Zambia tied New Zealand 1–1 in a friendly match.
• July 25: Zambia lost 0–3 to USA at the Olympics.
• July 28: Zambia lost 5–6 to Australia at the Olympics.
• July 31: Zambia lost 1–4 to Germany at the Olympics.
• October 24: Zambia won 3–0 against Angola in the COSAFA Women's Championship.
• October 29: Zambia won 7–0 against Comoros in the COSAFA Women's Championship.
• October 31: Zambia won 2–0 against Malawi in the COSAFA Women's Championship semi-finals.
• November 2: Zambia tied South Africa 0–0 in the COSAFA Women's Championship final, but won 4–3 in a penalty shootout to become champions!

Coaches

The team has had several coaches over the years:

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

Players

The players who represent Zambia are called the Copper Queens. They play in different positions like goalkeeper (GK), defender (DF), midfielder (MF), and forward (FW).

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship in October 2024.

• Goalkeepers: Chimwemwe Mwale, Annie Namonje, Ngambo Musole
• Defenders: Melody Kipimpi, Martha Banda, Tabo Miselo, Pauline Zulu, Margaret Belemu, Esther Muchinga, Jackline Chomba, Diana Banda
• Midfielders: Esther Mushota, Mary Mambwe, Regina Chanda, Fridah Mukoma, Evarine Katongo, Bupe Banda, Majory Mulenga, Ruth Mukisi
• Forwards: Lubandji Ochumba, Natasha Nanyangwe, Charity Mubanga, Lungowe Namasiku

Recent Call-ups

These players were also called to join the team in the last year for different matches:

• Goalkeepers: Chitete Munsaka, Loveness Tonge, Leticia Lungu, Catherine Musonda, Eunice Sakala
• Defenders: Esther Banda, Judith Soko, Thelma Chella, Natasha Kapombo, Mary Mulenga, Bernadette Mubanga, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Vast Phiri
• Midfielders: Ireen Lungu, Comfort Selemani, Salome Phiri, Mapalo Maluba, Susan Banda, Grace Chanda, Misozi Zulu, Hellen Chanda, Rhoda Chileshe, Avell Chitundu, Mary Wilombe, Prisca Chilufya
• Forwards: Eneless Phiri, Agness Phiri, Fridah Kabwe, Hellen Mubanga, Florence Banda, Norin Betani, Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Kabange Mupopo, Racheal Nachula, Ochumba Oseke

Previous Squads

You can find lists of players from past tournaments here:

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

Team Records

Here's how the Copper Queens have done in major tournaments:

FIFA Women's World Cup

Zambia played in its first World Cup on July 22, 2023.

Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1991	Did not enter
1995	Did not qualify
1999	Did not enter
2003	Did not qualify
2007
2011	Did not enter
2015	Did not qualify
2019
2023	Group stage	3	1	0	2	3	11
2027	To be determined
Total		3	1	0	2	3	11

Olympic Games

Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1996	Did not qualify
2000	Did not enter
2004
2008
2012	Did not qualify
2016
2020	Group stage	3	0	1	2	7	15
2024	Group stage	3	0	0	3	6	13
Total	2/5	6	0	1	5	13	28

Africa Cup of Nations

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

African Games

Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2003	Did not enter
2007
2011	Did not qualify
2015	Did not qualify
2019
2023	See U-20 team
Total

COSAFA Championship

Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
2002	3rd
2006	3rd
2008
2011	Group stage	3	1	0	2	5	7	−1
2017	3rd	5	2	3	0	18	9	+2
2018	4th	5	3	0	2	6	2	+2
2019	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	22	3	+19
2020	3rd	3	1	0	2	9	3	+6
2021	3rd	5	3	2	0	11	2	+9
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