Zambia national football team
The Zambia national football team represents Zambia in men's international association football and it 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, the "Copper Bullets".,[2] The team has three Africa Cup of Nations final appearances to its credit, winning the 2012 tournament with victory over Ivory Coast in 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final, The team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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Nickname(s) | Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets) | |||
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Association | Football Association of Zambia | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Milutin Sredojevic | |||
Captain | Kennedy Mweene | |||
Most caps | Kennedy Mweene (121) | |||
Top scorer | Godfrey Chitalu (79) | |||
Home stadium | National heros stadium | |||
FIFA code | ZAM | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 88 ![]() | |||
Highest | 15 (February – May 1996, August 1996) | |||
Lowest | 102 (February 2011) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Southern Rhodesia; 1946) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Lusaka, Zambia; 5 February 1978) ![]() ![]() (Lilongwe, Malawi; 13 November 1978) ![]() ![]() (8 August 1988) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (DR Congo; 22 November 1969) ![]() ![]() (Brussels, Belgium; 3 June 1994) | ||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 17 (first in 1974) | |||
Best result | Champions, 2012 |
After the departure of George Lwandamina in 2016, Wedson Nyirenda was appointed interim coach. In January 2017 Nyirenda was appointed on a permanent basis. On 6 July 2018, FAZ announced the appointment of Sven Vandenbroeck as their new coach. The 38-year-old Belgian replaced Nyirenda who resigned two months earlier to join South African side Baroka FC.
Gabon air disaster
On 27 April 1993, a Zambian Air Force Buffalo DHC-5D which was carrying the team to Senegal for a 1994 World Cup qualification match crashed, killing all 30 passengers, including 18 players and a number of coaches.[3]
Honours
Competitive record
World Cup record
When the former British colony of Northern Rhodesia, Zambia did not participate in World Cup qualification play until after its independence in 1964. The country's football association was formed in 1929 and joined FIFA in 1964.
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||
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10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 | |||||||||
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6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | |||||||||
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4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | |||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 | |||||||||
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6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||
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8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 5 | |||||||||
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8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 8 | |||||||||
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10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 | |||||||||
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13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 11 | |||||||||
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10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||
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6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |||||||||
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8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | |||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
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Total | – | 0/21 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 97 | 45 | 22 | 30 | 145 | 88 |
Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
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Host nation(s) / Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
![]() ![]() | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
![]() | Did not enter | |||||||
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![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
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Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
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Withdrew | |||||||
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Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
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Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
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Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
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Third place | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 |
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Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
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13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
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14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
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9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | |
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Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
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Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
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Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
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13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
Total | 1 Title | 17/32 | 66 | 27 | 18 | 22 | 81 | 67 |
African Games
- Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games record | ||||||||
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Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1991–present | See Zambia national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | 4/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup Record | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA |
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Group Stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
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Third Place | 3rd | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
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Group Stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
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Group Stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Fourth Place | 4th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
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Group Stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
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Group Stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
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Fourth Place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
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Group Stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
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Group Stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Fourth Place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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Fourth Place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
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Group Stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
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Group Stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Champions | 1st | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
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Group Stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Group Stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
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Group Stage | 7th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
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Group Stage | 7th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
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Third Place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
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Group Stage | 9th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
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Quarter-Finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
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Group Stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
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Third Place | 3rd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
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Quarter-Finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
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Quarter-Finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
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Third Place | 3rd | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
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Group Stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
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Group Stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
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Runners-Up | 2nd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 |
Total | 34/38 | 1 Title | 121 | 29 | 31 | 61 | 99 | 181 |
COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup Record | ||||||||
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Year | Rank | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 0/19 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Recent schedule and results
The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss
2019
9 June 2019 Friendly | Cameroon ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Majadahonda, Spain |
18:30 WAT (UTC+1) | Ntep ![]() Joel Tagueu ![]() |
Report | Musonda ![]() |
Stadium: Estadio Cerro del Espino |
16 June 2019 Friendly | Morocco ![]() | 2–3 | ![]() | Marrakech, Morocco |
17:30 WAT (UTC+1) | Ziyech ![]() |
Report | Musonda ![]() Kangwa ![]() Mwepu ![]() |
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Adalbert Diouf (Senegal) |
19 June 2019 Friendly | Ivory Coast ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
16:30 GST (UTC+4) | Kodjia ![]() Seri ![]() Cornet ![]() Bony ![]() |
Report | Sakala ![]() |
Stadium: Zayed Sports City Stadium Attendance: 50 Referee: Ammar Ali Abdulla Jumaa Al Junaibi (United Arab Emirates) |
13 October 2019 Friendly | Benin ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Porto-Novo, Benin |
18:00 | Mounié ![]() Poté ![]() |
Report | Shonga ![]() |
Stadium: Stade Charles de Gaulle Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo) |
9 November 2019 Friendly | Namibia ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Katutura, Namibia |
Stadium: Sam Nujoma Stadium |
14 November 2019 2021 AFCONQ | Algeria ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() | Blida, Algeria |
20:00 | Bensebaini ![]() Bounedjah ![]() Belaïli ![]() Soudani ![]() |
Stadium: Mustapha Tchaker Stadium Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
19 November 2019 2021 AFCONQ | Zambia ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Lusaka, Zambia |
18:00 UTC+2 | Daka ![]() |
Billiat ![]() |
Stadium: National Heroes Stadium |
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches against Algeria and Zimbabwe on 14 & 18 November 2019.[4]
Caps and goals as of 19 November 2019, after the match against Zimbabwe.[5]
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for Zambia in the last 12 months.[6]
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Lawrence Mulenga | 21 August 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Nkole Ngandu | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
GK | Allan Chibwe | 22 March 1991 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Charles Muntanga | 21 July 1995 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Adrian Chama | 18 March 1989 | 33 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Simon Silwimba | 25 December 1991 | 19 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Mwila Phiri | 29 August 1994 | 11 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Luka Banda | 6 April 1995 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ziyo Tembo | 30 June 1985 | 24 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Shemmy Mayembe | 22 November 1997 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Kebson Kamanga | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
DF | Moses Nyondo | 5 July 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Paul Banda | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
MF | Paul Katema | 19 September 1997 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Kelvin Kapumbu | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
MF | Amity Shamende | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() | |
MF | Ernest Mbewe | 11 November 1994 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Benson Sakala | 12 September 1996 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Webster Muzaza | 21 August 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Emmanuel Banda | 29 September 1997 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Kings Kangwa | 4 June 1999 | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Gamphani Lungu | 19 September 1998 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Emmanuel Chabula | 10 January 1998 | 6 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Tapson Kaseba | 8 December 1992 | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Twiza Chaibela | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
- Notes
- DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
- INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
- PRE Preliminary Squad.
- RET Player has retired from international football.
- SUS Suspended from the national team.
Records
|
Most capped players
- As of 25 November 2018[7]
- Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.
# | Name | International Career | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kennedy Mweene | 2004– | 124 | 2 |
2 | David Chabala | 1983–1993 | 115 | 0 |
3 | Godfrey Chitalu | 1968–1980 | 111 | 79 |
4 | Joseph Musonda | 2002–2014 | 108 | 0 |
5 | Christopher Katongo | 2003–2016 | 105 | 23 |
6 | Rainford Kalaba | 2005– | 104 | 15 |
7 | Alex Chola | 1975–1985 | 102 | 43 |
8 | Elijah Tana | 1995–2009 | 101 | 4 |
9 | Derby Makinka | 1985–1993 | 98 | 10 |
10 | Kalusha Bwalya | 1983–2004 | 87 | 39 |
Top goalscorers
- As of 25 November 2018
- Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.
# | Name | International Career | Goals | Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Godfrey Chitalu | 1968–1980 | 79 | 111 |
2. | Alex Chola | 1975–1985 | 43 | 102 |
3. | Kalusha Bwalya | 1983–2004 | 39 | 87 |
4. | Bernard Chanda | 1971–1980 | 29 | 68 |
5. | Christopher Katongo | 2003–2016 | 23 | 105 |
6. | Collins Mbesuma | 2003– | 22 | 65 |
7. | Dennis Lota | 1994–2002 | 21 | 78 |
8. | Kenneth Malitoli | 1988–1999 | 19 | 80 |
9. | James Chamanga | 2005–2015 | 17 | 63 |
10. | Rainford Kalaba | 2005– | 15 | 104
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Managers
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References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- "History of Zambian National Team". fazfootball.com. Football Association of Zambia. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- "Zambia's remarkable journey makes them winners regardless". FourFourTwo. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- "EVANS KANGWA RECALLED, KALABA AND MWEENE SNUBBED AS CHIYANGI NAMES SQUAD FOR BACK TO BACK AFCON QUALIFIERS". Zambianfootball. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Zambia (2019)". National-football-teams.com. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- "ZAMBIA PICKS 9 FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS". Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- Jerry Muchimba and Roberto Mamrud. "Zambia – Record International Players". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
External links
- Zambia at FIFA.com
- Zambian Football Association official website
- ZambianFootball.net