Our HistoryOur History
Founded in 1929 when organized football took a semblance of organization on the Copperbelt, the Football Association of Zambia is one of the oldest soccer federations on the continent.
The Football Association was formally recognized by the global community after FAZ joined world soccer governing body, FIFA, at independence in 1964. It was the same year that the Zambian football federation affiliated to continental body, CAF – the Confederation of African Football.
FAZ is also a member of the regional Council of Southern Africa Football Associations.
Since independence on October 24 1964, Zambian football has a rich history, a rich heritage on which the football foundations of the Chipolopolo Boys, as the Zambia National team is fondly called, are built.
Within that history is embedded the April 28 1993 Gabon Air disaster – Zambia’s worst aircraft accident, which claimed the lives of an entire generation of footballers and FAZ officials. The crash occurred near Libreville, off Gabon' s Atlantic coast, as Zambia’s Chipolopolo were enroute to Dakar, Senegal for a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Lions of Teranga.
Chipolopolo Boys
From 1964, the Zambia national soccer team has been known by two nicknames. During the reign of founding president Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the Zambia national team was christened “KK11”; named after the first President.
Following the end of the 27 year reign of Dr Kaunda, the Zambian national team embraced the Chipolopolo Boys tag, the Big Copper Bullet or Big Guns.
First Game
As the dawn of independence neared, Zambia’s first taste of international football in the immediate pre-colonial era came on July 4 1964 when the national team played against Tanzania in the newly independent Republic of Malawi.
Zambia won the match 1-0.
Most capped Player
Kalusha Bwalya remains the most capped Zambian player with 100 caps and also retains the title of the leading scorer with 50 goals from his 100 internationals.
National Colours
All green, all white and a combination copper and black and green and white remain the colours of the Zambia national soccer team.
More information:
Design: iDesign at AfriConnect - connectivity partners to Zambian football
