Zambia National Football Team

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.

Zambia

Nickname(s)	Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
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
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	86 1 (4 April 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 CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Team 1974 Egypt Team 1994 Tunisia Team 1982 Libya Team 1990 Algeria Team 1996 South Africa Team CAF African Nations Championship 2009 Ivory Coast Team COSAFA Cup 1997 Southern Africa 1998 Southern Africa 2006 Southern Africa 2013 Zambia Team 2019 South Africa 2023 South Africa 2004 Southern Africa 2005 Southern Africa 2007 Southern Africa 2009 Zimbabwe 2017 South Africa 2018 South Africa 2008 South Africa CECAFA Cup 1984 Uganda 1991 Uganda 1976 Zanzibar 1977 Somalia 1978 Malawi 1988 Malawi 2006 Ethiopia 1981 Tanzania 1992 Tanzania 2013 Kenya

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

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

Lesotho   v   Zambia

26 March 2023 AFCON qualification	Lesotho	0–2	Zambia	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	P. Daka   14', 69'	Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)

Kuwait   v   Zambia

12 June Friendly	Kuwait	3–0	Zambia	Cairo, Egypt
--:-- UTC+3	Al-Khaldi   16', 59' El Ebrahim   51'	Report		Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Zambia   v   Ivory Coast

17 June 2023 AFCON qualification	Zambia	3–0	Ivory Coast	Ndola, Zambia
15:00 UTC+2	Aurier   31' (o.g.) Daka   48' Kangwa   55'	Report		Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

Zambia   v   Malawi

6 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Zambia	0–1	Malawi	Durban
18:00		Report	Katebe   17' (o.g.)	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

Zambia   v   Comoros

9 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Zambia	2–1	Comoros	Durban
15:00	Mulambia   51' Kangwanda   74'	Report	Djambae   67'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

Seychelles   v   Zambia

11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup	Seychelles	2–4	Zambia	KwaMashu
15:00	Labrosse   81' Mellie   90' (pen.)	Report	Kangwanda   11' Kanguluma   54' Mashata   58' Mulambia   73'	Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium

South Africa   v   Zambia

14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF	South Africa	1–2	Zambia	Durban
18:00	Mabasa   44'	Report	Mashata  50' Kangwanda   69'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

Lesotho   v   Zambia

16 July 2023 COSAFA Cup F	Lesotho	0–1	Zambia	Durban
18:00		Report	Libamba   78'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

Comoros   v   Zambia

9 September 2023 AFCON qualification	Comoros	1–1	Zambia	Moroni, Comoros
22:00 UTC+3	B. Youssouf   45'	Report	Daka   71'	Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

Egypt   v   Zambia

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)

Zambia   v   Congo

17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Zambia	4–2	Congo	Ndola, Zambia
18:00 UTC+2	Daka   5', 90+2' Banda   43' F. Sakala   69'	Report	Ganvoula   13' Bassouamina   15'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

Niger   v   Zambia

21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Niger	2–1	Zambia	Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Moutari   6' Goumey   28'	Report	Daka   50'	Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 200 Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya)

2024

Zambia   v   Cameroon

9 January Friendly	Zambia	1–1	Cameroon	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
17:00 UTC+3	Daka   11'	Report	Yongwa   20'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium

DR Congo   v   Zambia

17 January 2023 AFCON GS	DR Congo	1–1	Zambia	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

Zambia   v   Tanzania

21 January 2023 AFCON GS	Zambia	1–1	Tanzania	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

Zambia   v   Morocco

24 January 2023 AFCON GS	Zambia	0–1	Morocco	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
				Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium

Zambia   v   Zimbabwe

23 March Friendly	Zambia	2–2 (5–6 p)	Zimbabwe	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Malawi   v   Zambia

26 March Friendly	Malawi	1–2	Zambia	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Caps and goals as of 21 November 2023, after the game against Niger.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Toaster Nsabata	(1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 (age 30)	37	0	Sekhukhune United
	1GK	Lawrence Mulenga	(1998-08-21) August 21, 1998 (age 25)	11	0	Power Dynamos
	1GK	Francis Mwansa	(2002-07-14) July 14, 2002 (age 21)	5	0	Green Buffaloes
	2DF	Stoppila Sunzu	(1989-06-22) 22 June 1989 (age 34)	85	5	Jinan Xingzhou
	2DF	Benedict Chepeshi	(1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 27)	45	0	Red Arrows
	2DF	Rodrick Kabwe	(1992-11-30) 30 November 1992 (age 31)	45	0	Sekhukhune United
	2DF	Dominic Chanda	(1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 28)	29	1	Kabwe Warriors
	2DF	Tandi Mwape	(1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 (age 27)	25	1	Mazembe
	2DF	Frankie Musonda	(1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 26)	10	1	Ayr United
	2DF	Miguel Chaiwa	(2004-06-07) 7 June 2004 (age 19)	3	0	Young Boys
	2DF	Zephaniah Phiri	(1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 (age 27)	2	0	Prison Leopards
	2DF	Gift Mphande	(2003-11-19) 19 November 2003 (age 20)	1	0	Hapoel Rishon LeZion
	3MF	Lubambo Musonda (captain)	(1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 (age 29)	47	2	Silkeborg
	3MF	Kelvin Kampamba	(1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 (age 27)	45	6	ZESCO United
	3MF	Benson Sakala	(1996-09-12) 12 September 1996 (age 27)	37	0	Mladá Boleslav
	3MF	Clatous Chama	(1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 32)	34	5	Simba
	3MF	Kelvin Kapumbu	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 28)	30	0	ZESCO United
	3MF	Kings Kangwa	(1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 25)	26	5	Red Star Belgrade
	3MF	Emmanuel Banda	(1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 (age 26)	25	0	Rijeka
	3MF	Larry Bwalya	(1995-05-29) 29 May 1995 (age 28)	16	1	AmaZulu
	3MF	Edward Chilufya	(1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 24)	12	0	Häcken
	3MF	Golden Mafwenta	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 23)	7	0	MFK Vyškov
	3MF	Frederick Mulambia	(2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 21)	6	2	Power Dynamos
	4FW	Patson Daka	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 25)	40	18	Leicester City
	4FW	Fashion Sakala	(1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 27)	28	9	Al-Fayha
	4FW	Lameck Banda	(2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 23)	11	3	Lecce
	4FW	Kennedy Musonda	(1994-12-28) 28 December 1994 (age 29)	2	0	Young Africans

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	Harold Bwalya	(1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Trident	2023 COSAFA Cup
GK	Stephen Ngulube	(1994-02-22) February 22, 1994 (age 30)	0	0	Nchanga Rangers	2023 COSAFA Cup
GK	Allan Chibwe	(1991-03-22) 22 March 1991 (age 33)	16	0	Forest Rangers	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
GK	Jeban Tembo	(2003-01-31) January 31, 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Kafue Celtic	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Luka Banda	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 29)	14	0	Napsa Stars	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Teddy Khumalo	(2004-02-12) 12 February 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Free agent	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF	Aaron Katebe	(1992-01-24) 24 January 1992 (age 32)	14	1	Power Dynamos	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Evan Chibuye	(2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 21)	5	0	ZESCO United	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Irving Chisenga	(2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 24)	5	0	Nchanga Rangers	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Rodolph Mwanza	(1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 (age 25)	5	1	Kabwe Warriors	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Brian Mulwanda	(1996-09-19) 19 September 1996 (age 27)	4	0	ZESCO United	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Daniel Hachipola	(1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 (age 27)	1	0	Nkwazi	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Emmanuel Mukuni	(2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Atletico Lusaka	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Aimé Mabika	(1998-08-16) 16 August 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Toronto FC	v.   Ivory Coast; 17 June 2023
DF	Kondwani Chiboni	(1996-09-14) 14 September 1996 (age 27)	6	0	Nkana	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Kebson Kamanga	(1997-06-16) 16 June 1997 (age 26)	6	0	Red Arrows	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Gideon Sichone	(1990-02-27) 27 February 1990 (age 34)	2	0	Green Buffaloes	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Bwembya Kakunga	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Malifura Wanderers	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Owen Mwamba	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Malifura Wanderers	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
DF	Isaac Zulu	(1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Green Eagles	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF	Jackson Chirwa	(1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 28)	30	1	Green Buffaloes	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF	Joshua Mutale	(2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 22)	10	0	Power Dynamos	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF	Foster Musonda	(2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 21)	6	2	Power Dynamos	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Moses Liswaniso	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Zanaco	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Gerald Muyunda	(2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 (age 23)	5	1	Forest Rangers	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Christopher Mubita	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 23)	3	0	Green Buffaloes	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Theophilus Mukwita	(2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 (age 23)	2	0	Nkana	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Lameck Chileshe	(1999-10-19) 19 October 1999 (age 24)	1	0	Mufulira Wanderers	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Godfrey Ngosa	(2000-03-03) 3 March 2000 (age 24)	0	0	ZESCO United	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Stuart Siamwiza	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Prison Leopards	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Prince Mumba	(2001-03-24) 24 March 2001 (age 23)	9	1	Kabwe Warriors	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF	Linos Makwaza Jr.	(2001-01-08) 8 January 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Power Dynamos	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
MF	Saddam Phiri	(1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 31)	0	0	Red Arrows	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW	Lazarous Kambole	(1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 (age 30)	17	7	ZESCO United	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Gamphani Lungu	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25)	15	0	SuperSport United	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Albert Kangwanda	(1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 (age 25)	12	5	Kafue Celtic	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Francisco Mwepu	(2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 24)	3	0	Cádiz	2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW	Roderick Munalula	(2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 23)	6	2	Green Buffaloes	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Ronald Mizinga	(2007-03-24) 24 March 2007 (age 17)	4	0	MUZA	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Kingsley Chibwe	(2000-05-08) 8 May 2000 (age 23)	2	0	Green Buffaloes	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Henry Mwewa	(2003-01-05) 5 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Atletico Lusaka	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Matthew Kamwi	(2006-12-25) 25 December 2006 (age 17)	0	0	Kafue Celtic	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Amity Shamende	(1993-08-04) 4 August 1993 (age 30)	15	2	Green Eagles	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW	James George Ngoma	(2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Green Buffaloes	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW	Cephas Mulombwa	(2001-11-28) 28 November 2001 (age 22)	0	0	Forest Rangers	v.   Kuwait; 12 June 2023
FW	Joseph Phiri	(1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 (age 35)	0	0	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.

As of 23 March 2024
Players in bold are still active with Zambia.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers