The Zambia national football team represents Zambia in association football and 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 which means the "Copper Bullets". The team won an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012. This team has also become the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, surpassing Zimbabwe after winning the 2023 edition.
Nickname(s) | Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 93 1 (19 September 2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest | 15 (February – May 1996, August 1996) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 102 (February 2011) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
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History
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 other 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.
1994–2012
On June 3, 1994, in Brussels, the Zambian football team succumbed to one of the 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. In 2012, the best AFCON in Zambia history happened. During the tournament's group stage, they defeated Senegal(2–1), drew with Libya (2-2), and defeated Equatorial Guinea (1–0), and qualified top of their group. During the knockout stage, Zambia defeated Sudan (3–0) in the Quarterfinals, beat Ghana in the semifinals (1–0) and went up against Ivory Coast in the final, where they won their first title, after defeating them in a dramatic Penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw after extra time.
Kit provider
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
Adidas | 1993–1996 |
Puma | 1997–2000 |
Diadora | 2001–2002 |
Umbro | 2003 |
Nike | 2004–2015 |
Kappa | 2016 |
2017 | |
2018– |
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
12 October (Friendly) | Egypt | 1–0 | Zambia | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
H. Fathy 90' | Report | Stadium: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium Referee: (United Arab Emirates) |
17 November (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification) | Zambia | 4–2 | Congo | Ndola, Zambia |
18:00 UTC+2 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt) |
21 November (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification) | Niger | 2–1 | Zambia | Marrakesh, Morocco |
20:00 UTC+1 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 200 Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya) |
2024
9 January (Friendly) | Zambia | 1–1 | Cameroon | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
17:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium |
17 January 2023 AFCON GS | DR Congo | 1–1 | Zambia | San Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,478 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
21 January 2023 AFCON GS | Zambia | 1–1 | Tanzania | San Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 13,342 Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin) |
24 January 2023 AFCON GS | Zambia | 0–1 | Morocco | San Pédro, Ivory Coast |
Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,231 Referee: Patrice Tanguy (Gabon) |
23 March (Friendly) | Zambia | 2–2 (5–6 p) | Zimbabwe | Lilongwe, Malawi |
Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
26 March (Friendly) | Malawi | 1–2 | Zambia | Lilongwe, Malawi |
Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
7 June (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification) | Morocco | 2–1 | Zambia | Agadir, Morocco |
20:00 UTC+1 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
11 June (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification) | Zambia | 0–1 | Tanzania | Ndola, Zambia |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report |
| Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania) |
27 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Zambia | 0–2 | Kenya | Gqeberha, South Africa |
18:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
30 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Zambia | 0–2 | Zimbabwe | Gqeberha, South Africa |
15:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup | Comoros | 1–0 | Zambia | Gqeberha, South Africa |
12:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
2025
17 March 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup | Japan | v | Zambia | Japan |
Managers
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- (1978)
- Brian Tiler (1978–80)
- Ted Dumitru (1980–81)
- (1981–82)
- Bill McGarry (1982–83)
- (1983–84)
- Jeff Butler (1984)
- (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–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
Caps and goals as of 27 June 2024, after the game against Kenya.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | 21 January 1996 | 5 | 0 | Red Arrows | ||
GK | 22 February 1994 | 0 | 0 | Nchanga Rangers | ||
GK | 3 June 1997 | 0 | 0 | Power Dynamos | ||
DF | Zakaria Chilongoshi | 27 October 1999 | 16 | 0 | ||
DF | 19 July 2002 | 6 | 0 | ZESCO United | ||
DF | 16 December 1999 | 6 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors | ||
DF | 19 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | ZESCO United | ||
DF | 27 June 1997 | 1 | 0 | Red Arrows | ||
DF | 24 December 1998 | 1 | 0 | Nkana | ||
DF | 24 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | Mufulira Wanderers | ||
DF | 6 August 2005 | 0 | 0 | Nkana | ||
MF | Kelvin Kapumbu | 6 April 1996 | 34 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
MF | Fredrick Mulambia | 10 July 2002 | 8 | 2 | Power Dynamos | |
MF | 3 March 1998 | 7 | 0 | ZESCO United | ||
MF | 24 October 1991 | 6 | 0 | Napsa Stars | ||
MF | 9 September 1992 | 5 | 0 | Red Arrows | ||
MF | Austin Muwowo | 26 September 1996 | 4 | 1 | Power Dynamos | |
MF | 10 August 2005 | 1 | 0 | ZESCO United | ||
MF | 16 May 1995 | 1 | 0 | Power Dynamos | ||
FW | Albert Kangwanda | 7 April 1999 | 13 | 5 | Kafue Celtic | |
FW | 3 May 2001 | 7 | 1 | Red Arrows | ||
FW | 21 May 2001 | 6 | 0 | MUZA | ||
FW | 23 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | Kansanshi Dynamos |
Recent call-ups
The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Toaster Nsabata | 24 November 1993 | 39 | 0 | Sekhukhune United | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
GK | Lawrence Mulenga | August 21, 1998 | 18 | 0 | Power Dynamos | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
GK | July 14, 2002 | 5 | 0 | Green Buffaloes | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations | |
DF | Stoppila Sunzu | 22 June 1989 | 92 | 6 | Jinan Xingzhou | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Tandi Mwape | 20 July 1996 | 29 | 1 | Mazembe | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Luka Banda | 6 April 1995 | 14 | 0 | Napsa Stars | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Frankie Musonda | 12 December 1997 | 16 | 1 | Ayr United | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Miguel Chaiwa | 7 June 2004 | 10 | 0 | Young Boys | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Gift Mphande | 19 November 2003 | 5 | 0 | Hapoel Rishon LeZion | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
DF | Benedict Chepeshi | 10 June 1996 | 47 | 0 | Red Arrows | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
DF | Dominic Chanda | 26 February 1996 | 30 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
DF | 19 November 1996 | 4 | 0 | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 | ||
DF | Rodrick Kabwe | 30 November 1992 | 48 | 0 | Sekhukhune United | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations |
DF | 12 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | Free agent | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE | |
MF | Lubambo Musonda (captain) | 1 March 1995 | 53 | 2 | Silkeborg | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | Kelvin Kampamba | 24 November 1996 | 48 | 6 | ZESCO United | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | Benson Sakala | 12 September 1996 | 38 | 0 | Mladá Boleslav | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | Emmanuel Banda | 29 September 1997 | 32 | 0 | Rijeka | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | Kings Kangwa | 6 April 1999 | 32 | 6 | Red Star Belgrade | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | Edward Chilufya | 17 September 1999 | 17 | 1 | Häcken | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
MF | 24 January 2002 | 11 | 0 | Power Dynamos | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 | |
MF | Clatous Chama | 18 June 1991 | 38 | 7 | Simba | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
MF | Golden Mafwenta | 15 January 2001 | 8 | 0 | MFK Vyškov | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
MF | Larry Bwalya | 29 May 1995 | 18 | 1 | AmaZulu | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations |
MF | Jackson Chirwa | 11 June 1995 | 30 | 1 | Green Buffaloes | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE |
FW | Patson Daka | 9 October 1998 | 48 | 21 | Leicester City | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
FW | Gamphani Lungu | 19 August 1998 | 17 | 0 | SuperSport United | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
FW | Kennedy Musonda | 28 December 1994 | 9 | 0 | Young Africans | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
FW | Lameck Banda | 29 January 2001 | 15 | 3 | Lecce | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
FW | Fashion Sakala | 14 March 1997 | 32 | 9 | Al-Fayha | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations |
FW | Lazarous Kambole | 20 January 1994 | 17 | 7 | ZESCO United | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE |
FW | Francisco Mwepu | 29 February 2000 | 3 | 0 | Cádiz | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE |
|
Player records
- As of 11 June 2024
- Players in bold are still active with Zambia.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Apps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kennedy Mweene | 122 | 2 | 2004–2021 |
2 | David Chabala | 115 | 0 | 1983–1993 |
3 | Godfrey Chitalu | 111 | 79 | 1968–1980 |
4 | Joseph Musonda | 108 | 0 | 2002–2014 |
5 | Rainford Kalaba | 103 | 15 | 2005–2018 |
Christopher Katongo | 103 | 23 | 2003–2016 | |
7 | Alex Chola | 102 | 43 | 1975–1985 |
8 | Elijah Tana | 101 | 4 | 1995–2009 |
9 | Derby Makinka | 98 | 10 | 1985–1993 |
10 | Stoppila Sunzu | 92 | 6 | 2008–present |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Apps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Godfrey Chitalu | 79 | 111 | 0.71 | 1968–1980 |
2 | Alex Chola | 43 | 102 | 0.42 | 1975–1985 |
3 | Kalusha Bwalya | 39 | 87 | 0.45 | 1983–2004 |
4 | Bernard Chanda | 29 | 68 | 0.43 | 1971–1980 |
5 | Christopher Katongo | 23 | 103 | 0.22 | 2003–2016 |
6 | Collins Mbesuma | 22 | 65 | 0.34 | 2003–2017 |
7 | Patson Daka | 21 | 48 | 0.44 | 2015–present |
Dennis Lota | 21 | 78 | 0.27 | 1994–2002 | |
9 | Kenneth Malitoli | 19 | 80 | 0.24 | 1988–1999 |
10 | James Chamanga | 17 | 63 | 0.27 | 2005–2015 |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
Africa Cup of Nations
COSAFA Cup
Honours
Continental
- Africa Cup of Nations
- Winner (1): 2012
- Runner-up (2): 1974, 1994
- Third place (3): 1982, 1990, 1996
- African Nations Championship
- Third place (1): 2009
Regional
- COSAFA Cup
- Winner (7): 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023
- Runner-up (6): 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2018
- Third place (1): 2008
- CECAFA Cup
- Winner (2): 1984, 1991
- Runner-up (5): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2006
- Third place (5): 1973, 1974, 1981, 1992, 2013
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- "History of Zambian National Team". fazfootball.com. Football Association of Zambia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- "Zambia's remarkable journey makes them winners regardless". FourFourTwo. 12 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- "CAF releases Top XI of Orange CAN". CAF Online. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- "Final Squad". Facebook. Football Association of Zambia.
- Jerry Muchimba and Roberto Mamrud. "Zambia – Record International Players". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
External links
- Zambian Sports & Football Website
- Zambia National Football official
- Zambia at FIFA.com (archived 11 June 2007)
- ZambianFootball.net
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