Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)

03/10/2026

WEEK 1 FULLTIME RESULTS

03/10/2026

CHISI MBEWE CALLS 45 LOCAL PLAYERS AHEAD OF 2026 EGYPT U23 AFCON QUALIFIERS

The Zambia Under-23 Men’s National Team will begin preparations for the 2027 AFCON U23 qualifiers, with coach Chisi Mbewe calling up 45 local players for an assessment camp.

Players selected from the local camp will join foreign-based players to form the final squad.

The squad, which enters residential camp tomorrow in Lusaka, includes players who featured in the recently concluded COSAFA U20 AFCON qualifiers, the Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament and last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The Junior Chipolopolo will enter the qualifiers at the second-round stage after being exempted from the first round.

Zambia will face the winner between Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso, with the first and second legs scheduled for November 9 and 17.

The tournament will also serve as the qualification route to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

03/10/2026

FAZ MOVES TO CLEAR REFEREES’ OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS

Press Statement
For Immediate Release
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
3rd October 2026

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to provide an update regarding outstanding payments owed to referees over a long period of time.

FAZ has so far settled 40% of the outstanding referees’ claims. The remaining 60% balance is expected to be settled during the current transition season, with the firm intention of ensuring that the outstanding amount is fully cleared before the commencement of the next football season.

The Association hereby formally assures all referees and match officials that the outstanding balance remains a priority and will be settled within the stated timeframe.

FAZ is committed to honouring its obligations to match officials and will continue to work closely with the relevant departments to facilitate the settlement of all verified outstanding claims.

The districts that may not yet have accessed or received their payments are currently having their banking details and/or problems rectified, after which the respective funds will be accessed accordingly.

FAZ appreciates the patience, understanding and continued commitment of all referees and match officials during this transition period when the new administration has been in office.

FAZ further reaffirms its commitment to improving the timeliness, efficiency and consistency of payments to match officials going forward.

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA

Nkweto Tembwe
Head - Media and Communications

03/10/2026

FUTSAL AFCON DIARY: Zambia National Futsal Team Arrives in Cairo

The Zambia National Futsal Team has arrived safely in Cairo ahead of two international friendly matches against Egypt as part of preparations for the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations.

The Andrea Cristoforetti-coached side touched down at Cairo International Airport at exactly 07:30 hours local time Saturday morning aboard an EgyptAir flight.

The Futsal team will face the Pharaohs in two international friendly matches scheduled for October 4 and October 6 in Cairo.

The matches will provide the squad with an important test against one of Africa's established futsal sides ahead of the continental tournament.

The Zambian delegation is being led by David Simwiinga, who is also the FAZ Futsal Committee Chairperson.

Also part of the delegation is Francis Limande, Head of Administration at FAZ.

The team has been conducting an intensive preparation programme and will now shift its focus to the two Egypt fixtures before heading to Morocco for the 2026 Futsal AFCON.

02/10/2026

COPPER QUEENS BACK TO ACTION!

02/10/2026

FUTSAL AFCON DIARY: Mweemba Sends Off Futsal Squad to AFCON

FAZ President Keith Mweemba has urged the Zambia National Futsal Team to maintain discipline and make the country proud at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Mweemba was speaking at Cosmic Lodge in Lusaka when he saw off the team, which left for Egypt for an international training camp ahead of the tournament.

Andrea Cristoforretti -tutored sided will camp in Egypt and play friendly matches against the hosts.

Mweemba said the country was behind the team and called for more effort to popularise futsal in Zambia.

“For us to be among the best eight teams in Africa, it speaks volumes. It is not very easy. Maintain the discipline, you have our full support. Go and enjoy yourselves at the AFCON and make the country proud,” Mweemba said.

He said was committed to supporting all disciplines under its constitution, including futsal and beach soccer.

Mweemba also backed the technical bench to continue its work and said the team had been doing a good job.

Mweemba said Zambia must now focus on youth development to create a strong pipeline for the sport.
“We now need to start thinking about the youth development, the nursery, the foundation of different age groups so that there is continuity. That is the only way we are going to become a powerhouse in futsal,” he said.

The Zambia National Futsal team is one of the eight teams that will participate in TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations 2026, which will be held in Morocco from October 12 to 21, 2026.

02/10/2026

ZAMBIA FUTSAL TEAM DEPARTS FOR EGYPT AHEAD OF AFCON

The Zambia National Futsal Team has departed for Egypt, where they will play two international preparatory friendly matches against the hosts ahead of the 2026 Futsal AFCON in Morocco.

The two matches against Egypt are scheduled for October 4 and 6 and will provide the team with valuable competitive preparation before travelling to Morocco for the continental tournament.

The team left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) at 13:30 hours aboard South African Airways and landed at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 15:30 hours.

The delegation is scheduled to connect to Egypt on a 21:00 hours flight.

The Cristoforetti-led side is in high spirits as preparations intensify for the AFCON finals.

ZAMBIA'S 14-MAN AFCON FUTSAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Jackson Chitungu — Lusaka Automotive
Evaristo Mulolo — Lusaka Automotive

Defenders

Chota Chileshe — Lusaka Automotive
Shepherd Kaonga — Lusaka Automotive
Hendricks Chisanga — Mudi Stars

Wingers/Midfielders

Leevan Nyirenda — Lusaka Tigers
James Zulu — Lusaka Automotive
Royd Chishala — Lusaka Automotive
Francis Chinyama — Lusaka Automotive
Patrick Mwila — Paramilitary FC
Charles Simbeye — NAPSA Stars FC

Pivots

Wiseman Phiri — Lusaka Automotive
Patrick Banda — Lusaka Automotive
Musa Chiwaya — Kafue Celtic

02/10/2026

More football coming your way from Zambia! 🇿🇲⚽🔥

Two matches on the schedule as the action continues. Who’s ready for kick-off? 👀

Watch live & free on FIFA+ 📺
https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/competition/Competition:1u446xlqhw1tp18t2xklk7p1s2

02/10/2026

ROAD TO 2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS: Haalubono Demands Hard Work Ahead of Uganda Clash

The Copper Queens are looking to make amends for their disappointing 2026 WAFCON campaign when they face Uganda in the first leg of the round two of 2028 Olympic qualifier in Kampala on October 8, 2026

Interim Head Coach Charles Haalubono says the team has responded well to training and is showing improvement ahead of their crucial away fixture aginst the Crested Cranes.

Haalubono told FAZ Media after Thursday’s training session at the University of Lusaka football field that the players initially struggled to find their rhythm but have improved after five days of training.

The Green Buffaloes Women FC trainer said the team was now showing better reactions and sharpness on the ball.

“So far, the response has been very good. They all looking good now. The start was not all that good. They looked clumsy but after five days of training we saw a bit of change. Now starting this week, they are sharp; their reactions are up to that level,” Haalubono said.

Haalubono said the team had picked valuable lessons from the WAFCON, particularly in its ability to keep possession and move the ball, but needed to reduce the number of goals conceded.

“This is a very important fixture for us; we keep reminding each about our performance at WAFCON so we have got a big duty ahead of us to give the nation what it deserves because we failed to qualify to the world. So we have another chance of amending our mistakes so we are supposed to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.

The coach said the technical bench had placed particular emphasis on strengthening the defence while also improving the team’s movement when in possession, areas he believes will be important against Uganda.

He said Zambia’s experience from the last two Olympic Games would be useful but insisted that the focus was on the current preparations rather than past success.

On Uganda, Haalubono said the hosts are an athletic side that relies on direct football and long balls, which Zambia must be prepared to counter.

“We are here to work and to deliver; so it’s not something that we should even try to shun away. On my part I’m ready to work and deliver,”

Haalubono thanked FAZ for beefing up his technical bench with experienced coaches Florence Mwila and William Zulu as assistants, who he said understand women’s football in Zambia.

02/10/2026

Get well soon champ!

Injury update 🔷

Patson Daka has returned from the Zambian national team with an injury. Detailed MRI scans conducted at the Athleticum at Volkspark have now revealed the precise diagnosis: the Zambian has suffered a torn muscle fibre in his left thigh and will be sidelined for the coming weeks.

Get well soon, Pato! 🫶