Governance: Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
Nicknames:
- KK 11 (1980s, after founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda)
- Chipolopolo (“Copper Bullets,” post-multiparty politics)
Major Achievement: Africa Cup of Nations Champions (2012)
Other Distinction: Most successful team in the history of the COSAFA Cup.
Historic Tragedy: The Gabon Air Disaster (1993)
On April 27, 1993, a military aircraft (AF-319) carrying the team to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon shortly after takeoff from Libreville. The accident, caused by engine failure and pilot error, claimed the lives of all 30 on board, including 18 players, the coach, and support staff.
Modern Era & Road to Glory (1994–2012):
Final: Defeated Ivory Coast 8–7 in a penalty shootout following a 0–0 draw, claiming the AFCON trophy.
1994: Suffered a historic 9–0 defeat to Belgium in Brussels.
1996 AFCON: Achieved a commendable third-place finish. Striker Kalusha Bwalya was the tournament’s top scorer (5 goals).
1998–2006: A period of early tournament exits, failing to progress past the group stage except for a non-qualification in 2004.
2006: Registered its largest-ever victory, a 10–0 win against Djibouti.
2008 AFCON: Exited in the group stage.
2010 AFCON: Advanced to the quarterfinals, losing to Nigeria on penalties. Jacob Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola were named to the Tournament Best XI.
2012 AFCON Triumph: Against immense emotional backdrop, Zambia secured its first continental title in a dramatic campaign:
Group Stage: Finished top (W vs Senegal, D vs Libya, W vs Equatorial Guinea).
Knockout Stage: Defeated Sudan (3–0) and Ghana (1–0).
