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 most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, surpassing Zimbabwe after winning the 2023 edition.
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]
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. [4]
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
Adidas | 1993–1996 |
Puma | 1997–2000 |
Diadora | 2001–2002 |
Umbro | 2003 |
Nike | 2004–2015 |
Kappa | 2016 |
Mafro | 2017 |
KoPa | 2018– |
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
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) |
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) |
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 |
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 |
17 March 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup | Japan | v | Zambia | Japan |
The following players were called up for the 2024 COSAFA Cup. [5]
Caps and goals as of 27 June 2024, after the game against Kenya.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Charles Kalumba | 21 January 1996 | 5 | 0 | Red Arrows | |
GK | Victor Chabu | 22 February 1994 | 0 | 0 | Nchanga Rangers | |
GK | Willard Mwanza | 3 June 1997 | 0 | 0 | Power Dynamos | |
DF | Zakaria Chilongoshi | 27 October 1999 | 16 | 0 | Prison Leopards | |
DF | John Chishimba | 19 July 2002 | 6 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
DF | Killian Kanguluma | 16 December 1999 | 6 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors | |
DF | Mathews Chabala | 19 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
DF | Brian Chilimina | 27 June 1997 | 1 | 0 | Red Arrows | |
DF | Chitoshi Chinga | 24 December 1998 | 1 | 0 | Nkana | |
DF | Owen Mwamba | 24 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | Mufulira Wanderers | |
DF | Mathews Banda | 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 | Abraham Siankombo | 3 March 1998 | 7 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
MF | Dickson Chapa | 24 October 1991 | 6 | 0 | Napsa Stars | |
MF | Saddam Phiri | 9 September 1992 | 5 | 0 | Red Arrows | |
MF | Austin Muwowo | 26 September 1996 | 4 | 1 | Power Dynamos | |
MF | David Simukonda | 10 August 2005 | 1 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
MF | Owen Tembo | 16 May 1995 | 1 | 0 | Power Dynamos | |
FW | Albert Kangwanda | 7 April 1999 | 13 | 5 | Kafue Celtic | |
FW | Ricky Banda | 3 May 2001 | 7 | 1 | Red Arrows | |
FW | Andrew Phiri | 21 May 2001 | 6 | 0 | MUZA | |
FW | Jimmy Mukeya | 23 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | Kansanshi Dynamos |
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 | Francis Mwansa | 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 | Zephaniah Phiri | 19 November 1996 | 4 | 0 | Prison Leopards | v. Malawi ; 26 March 2024 |
DF | Rodrick Kabwe | 30 November 1992 | 48 | 0 | Sekhukhune United | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations |
DF | Teddy Khumalo | 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 | Joshua Mutale | 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 |
|
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 |
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 |
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1970 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||
1974 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 | |||||||||
1978 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | |||||||||
1982 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | |||||||||
1986 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 | |||||||||
1990 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
1994 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 5 | |||||||||
1998 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 8 | |||||||||
2002 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 | |||||||||
2006 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 11 | |||||||||
2010 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||
2014 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |||||||||
2018 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | |||||||||
2022 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | |||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||
2030 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
2034 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 0/15 | 106 | 48 | 21 | 37 | 159 | 103 |
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1957 to 1963 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1965 | Did not enter | |||||||
1968 | ||||||||
1970 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1972 | ||||||||
1974 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
1976 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1978 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
1980 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1982 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
1984 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1986 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
1988 | Withdrew | |||||||
1990 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
1992 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
1994 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
1996 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 |
1998 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
2000 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
2002 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
2004 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2006 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
2008 | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | |
2010 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
2012 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
2013 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
2015 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2017 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2019 | ||||||||
2021 | ||||||||
2023 | Group stage | 20th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2025 | To be determined | |||||||
2027 | ||||||||
2029 | ||||||||
Total | 1 title | 18/25 | 69 | 27 | 19 | 23 | 83 | 70 |
Year | COSAFA Cup record | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1997 | Winners | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
1998 | Winners | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
1999 | Semi-finals | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
2000 | Quarter-finals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2001 | Semi-finals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
2002 | Semi-finals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
2003 | Semi-finals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
2004 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
2005 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
2006 | Winners | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
2007 | Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2008 | Third place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
2009 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
2013 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
2015 | Quarter-finals | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
2016 | Quarter-finals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
2018 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
2019 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
2021 | Group stage | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
2022 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
2023 | Winners | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
2024 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
Total | 7 titles |
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