Zambia national football team

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".[2] The team won an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012. This team has also become the only most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, surpassing Zimbabwe after winning the 2023 edition.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Zambia women's national football team.

Zambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
AssociationFootball Association of Zambia (FAZ)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachAvram Grant
CaptainLubambo Musonda
Most capsKennedy Mweene (122)
Top scorerGodfrey Chitalu (79)
Home stadiumLevy Mwanawasa Stadium
National Heroes Stadium
FIFA codeZAM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 81 Increase 1 (26 October 2023)[1]
Highest15 (February – May 1996, August 1996)
Lowest102 (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
Appearances18 (first in 1974)
Best resultChampions (2012)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultChampions (1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023)
Medal record
CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Gold medal – first place2012 Gabon and Equatorial GuineaTeam
Silver medal – second place1974 EgyptTeam
Silver medal – second place1994 TunisiaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1982 LibyaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1990 AlgeriaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1996 South AfricaTeam
CAF African Nations Championship
Bronze medal – third place2009 Ivory CoastTeam
COSAFA Cup
Gold medal – first place1997 Southern Africa
Gold medal – first place1998 Southern Africa
Gold medal – first place2006 Southern Africa
Gold medal – first place2013 ZambiaTeam
Gold medal – first place2019 South Africa
Gold medal – first place2023 South Africa
Silver medal – second place2004 Southern Africa
Silver medal – second place2005 Southern Africa
Silver medal – second place2007 Southern Africa
Silver medal – second place2009 Zimbabwe
Silver medal – second place2017 South Africa
Silver medal – second place2018 South Africa
Bronze medal – third place2008 South Africa
CECAFA Cup
Gold medal – first place1984 Uganda
Gold medal – first place1991 Uganda
Silver medal – second place1976 Zanzibar
Silver medal – second place1977 Somalia
Silver medal – second place1978 Malawi
Silver medal – second place1988 Malawi
Silver medal – second place2006 Ethiopia
Bronze medal – third place1981 Tanzania
Bronze medal – third place1992 Tanzania
Bronze medal – third place2013 Kenya

History

Zambian Air Force Flight 319
Main article: 1993 Zambia national football team air disaster

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.[3]

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. 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 the won their first title, after defeating them in a dramatic Penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw after extra time.[4]

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–

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

2022
23 September Friendly Mali  1–0  Zambia Bamako, Mali
  • Touré 9'
 Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars
17 November Friendly Israel  4–2  Zambia Petah Tikva, Israel
Stadium: HaMoshava Stadium

2023
23 March 2023 AFCON qualification Zambia  3–1  Lesotho Ndola, Zambia
17:00 UTC+2
Report
  • Bereng 33'
 Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Congo)
26 March 2023 AFCON qualification Lesotho  0–2  Zambia Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)
12 June Friendly Kuwait  3–0  Zambia Cairo, Egypt
--:-- UTC+3 Al-Khaldi 16', 59'
El Ebrahim 51'		 Report Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification Zambia  3–0  Ivory Coast Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
6 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Zambia  0–1  Malawi Durban
18:00 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
9 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Zambia  2–1  Comoros Durban
15:00
  • Mulambia 51'
  • Kangwanda 74'
 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Seychelles  2–4  Zambia KwaMashu
15:00
Report
  • Kangwanda 11'
  • Kanguluma 54'
  • Mashata 58'
  • Mulambia 73'
 Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF South Africa  1–2  Zambia Durban
18:00
Report
  • Mashata 50'
  • Kangwanda 69'
 Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
16 July 2023 COSAFA Cup F Lesotho  0–1  Zambia Durban
18:00 Report
  • Libamba 78'
 Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification Comoros  1–1  Zambia Moroni, Comoros
22:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
12 October Friendly Egypt  1–0  Zambia Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
H. Fathy 90' Report Stadium: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Zambia  v  Congo
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Niger  v  Zambia

Managers
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 COSAFA Cup.[5]

Caps and goals as of 16 July 2023, after the game against Lesotho.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lawrence Mulenga (1998-08-21) August 21, 1998 9 0 Zambia Power Dynamos
1GK Francis Mwansa (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 2 0 Zambia Trident
1GK Victor Chabu (1994-02-22) February 22, 1994 0 0 Zambia Nchanga Rangers
2DF Benedict Chepeshi (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 40 0 Zambia Red Arrows
2DF Dominic Chanda (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 18 1 Zambia Kabwe Warriors
2DF Aaron Katebe (1992-01-24) 24 January 1992 14 1 Zambia Power Dynamos
2DF Mathews Chabala (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 5 0 Zambia Nchanga Rangers
2DF John Chishimba (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 5 0 Zambia ZESCO United
2DF Killian Kanguluma (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 5 1 Zambia Kabwe Warriors
2DF Samson Mkandawire (1996-09-19) 19 September 1996 4 0 Zambia ZESCO United
2DF Pride Mwansa (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 1 0 Zambia Nkwazi
2DF Gift Mphande (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 0 0 Zambia Atletico Lusaka
3MF Kelvin Kampamba (1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 43 6 Zambia ZESCO United
3MF Jackson Chirwa (1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 30 1 Zambia Green Buffaloes
3MF Kelvin Kapumbu (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 28 0 Zambia ZESCO United
3MF Joshua Mutale (2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 10 0 Zambia Power Dynamos
3MF Frederick Mulambia (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 6 2 Zambia Power Dynamos
3MF Moyela Libamba (2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 5 1 Zambia Forest Rangers
3MF Abraham Siankombo (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 5 0 Zambia Zanaco
3MF John Kosamu (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 3 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes
3MF Oliver Lumbiya (2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 2 0 Zambia Nkana
3MF Patson Kwataine (1999-10-19) 19 October 1999 1 0 Zambia Mufulira Wanderers
3MF Chanda Mukuka (2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 0 0 Zambia ZESCO United
3MF Francis Zulu (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Zambia Prison Leopards
4FW Albert Kangwanda (1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 12 5 Zambia Kafue Celtic
4FW Golden Mashata (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 6 2 Zambia Green Buffaloes
4FW Andrew Phiri (2007-03-24) 24 March 2007 4 0 Zambia MUZA
4FW Harry Milanzi Jr. (2000-05-08) 8 May 2000 2 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes
4FW Kingstone Mutandwa (2003-01-05) 5 January 2003 0 0 Zambia Atletico Lusaka
4FW Emmanuel Mwanza (2006-12-25) 25 December 2006 0 0 Zambia Kafue Celtic

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 (1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 37 0 South Africa Sekhukhune United v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
GK Allan Chibwe (1991-03-22) 22 March 1991 16 0 Zambia Forest Rangers v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
GK Jeban Tembo (2003-01-31) January 31, 2003 0 0 Zambia Kafue Celtic v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Stoppila Sunzu (1989-06-22) 22 June 1989 80 5 China Jinan Xingzhou v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Rodrick Kabwe (1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 40 0 South Africa Sekhukhune United v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Tandi Mwape (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 25 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Frankie Musonda (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 9 1 Scotland Ayr United v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Aimé Mabika (1998-08-16) 16 August 1998 1 0 Canada Toronto FC v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Golden Mafwenta (2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 0 0 Czech Republic MFK Vyškov v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF Luka Banda (1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 14 0 Zambia Napsa Stars v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Kondwani Chiboni (1996-09-14) 14 September 1996 6 0 Zambia Nkana v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Kebson Kamanga (1997-06-16) 16 June 1997 6 0 Zambia Red Arrows v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Gideon Sichone (1990-02-27) 27 February 1990 2 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Bwembya Kakunga (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Zambia Malifura Wanderers v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Owen Mwamba (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 0 0 Zambia Malifura Wanderers v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Isaac Zulu (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 0 0 Zambia Green Eagles v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF Teddy Khumalo (2004-02-12) 12 February 2004 0 0 Free agent v.  Lesotho; 26 March 2023
MF Lubambo Musonda (captain) (1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 44 2 Denmark Horsens v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
MF Clatous Chama (1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 31 5 Tanzania Simba v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
MF Kings Kangwa (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 21 5 Serbia Red Star Belgrade v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
MF Emmanuel Banda (1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 20 0 Croatia Rijeka v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
MF Larry Bwalya (1995-05-29) 29 May 1995 13 1 South Africa AmaZulu v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
MF Prince Mumba (2001-03-24) 24 March 2001 9 1 Zambia Kabwe Warriors v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF Linos Makwaza Jr. (2001-01-08) 8 January 2001 0 0 Zambia Power Dynamos v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF Saddam Phiri (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 0 0 Zambia Red Arrows v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF Benson Sakala (1996-09-12) 12 September 1996 35 0 Czech Republic Příbram v.  Lesotho; 26 March 2023
FW Patson Daka (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 35 12 England Leicester City v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Fashion Sakala (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 24 7 Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Gamphani Lungu (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 15 0 South Africa SuperSport United v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Lameck Banda (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 8 2 Italy Lecce v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Kennedy Musonda (1994-12-28) 28 December 1994 2 0 Tanzania Young Africans v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Francisco Mwepu (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 1 0 Spain Cádiz v.  Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
FW Lazarous Kambole (1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 17 7 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW Amity Shamende (1993-08-04) 4 August 1993 15 2 Zambia Green Eagles v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW James George Ngoma (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 1 0 Zambia Green Buffaloes v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW Cephas Mulombwa (2001-11-28) 28 November 2001 0 0 Zambia Forest Rangers v.  Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW Edward Chilufya (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 8 0 Denmark Midtjylland v.  Lesotho; 26 March 2023
FW Joseph Phiri (1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 0 0 Zambia Red Arrows v.  Lesotho; 26 March 2023
Notes
  • DEC Refused to join the team after the call-up.
  • INJ Withdrew due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary Squad.
  • RET Retired from international association football.
  • SUS Suspended from the team.

Records
As of 14 July 2021[6]
Players in bold are still active with Zambia.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record 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 12 7 2 3 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
Total0/22 102 47 21 34 153 97

Africa Cup of Nations
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Ghana 1963Not affiliated to CAF
Tunisia 1965Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970Did 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
Ivory Coast 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 6th 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 2017Did not qualify
Egypt 2019
Cameroon 2021
Ivory Coast 2023 Qualified
Morocco 2025 To be determined
Total 1 title 18/24 66 27 18 22 81 67

COSAFA Cup
Main article: COSAFA Cup
Year COSAFA Cup
ResultMWDLGFGA
1997 Winners5320114
1998 Winners532052
1999 Semi-finals201112
2000 Quarter-finals211030
2001 Semi-finals312032
2002 Semi-finals210131
2003 Semi-finals211053
2004 Runners-up321031
2005 Runners-up421173
2006 Winners440081
2007 Runners-up211030
South Africa 2008 Third place311121
Zimbabwe 2009 Runners-up320143
Zambia 2013 Winners321051
South Africa 2015 Quarter-finals311131
Total

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  2. "History of Zambian National Team". fazfootball.com. Football Association of Zambia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. "Zambia's remarkable journey makes them winners regardless". FourFourTwo. 12 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  4. "CAF releases Top XI of Orange CAN". CAF Online. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  5. "Provisional squad". Facebook. Football Association of Zambia.
  6. 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.
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