Football in Zambia | |
---|---|
Governing body | Football Association of Zambia |
National team(s) | Chipolopolo She-polopolo |
Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
Champions League CAF Confederation Cup Super Cup FIFA Club World Cup FIFA World Cup (National Team) African Cup of Nations (National Team) |
Association football is the most popular sport in Zambia. [1] The sport of football in the country of Zambia is run by the Football Association of Zambia. [2] The association administers the national male and female teams, as well as the Premier League, [3] and the Women Super Division. 1993 Zambia national football team air disaster is considered one of the most signification moments in Zambian football. [4] [5]
Zambia established their national team and the governing board Football Association of Zambia in 1929. [4] Kenneth Kaunda was instrumental in further developing the sport and encouraging further investment in developing better football infrastructure. [4]
The national team has expericed success also they were once holders of the Africa Cup of Nations, winning in the 2012 final against Ivory Coast. [6] [7]
Godfrey Chitalu has been described as "the greatest Zambian player ever". [8] [9]
The women's national team qualified for their first world cup at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, by reaching the semi-finals of 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. [10] [11]
Twitter research from 2015 found that the most popular English Premier League club in Zambia was Manchester United, with 30% of Zambian Premier League fans following the club, followed by Arsenal (27%) and Chelsea (18%). [12]