17.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle has summoned 38 players to a local training camp as Zambia begin preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026, set to kick off in March. The local camp will commence on Monday, with Häuptle also including a number of foreign-based players whose leagues are currently on recess. Among the notable call-ups is France-based forward Samiah Phiri, who plays for Thonon Évi

16.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda says Zambia faces a tough test at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026, but believes the team can meet its objectives with proper and timely preparations. Speaking to FAZ Media following the WAFCON draw, which placed Zambia in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and neighbours Malawi, the Orlando Pride star stressed that preparation will be key to success. “I

16.01.2026 | Football DNA Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle says she is anticipating tough and closely contested matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026. The Swedish tactician was speaking shortly after Zambia were drawn in Group C, alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and regional rivals Malawi, for the continental showpiece. Despite acknowledging the difficulty of the group, Häuptle says she is relishing the challeng

14.01.2026 | Football DNA The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that its Technical Director, Mr. Lyson Zulu, has been appointed by FIFA as a Technical Development Scheme (TDS) High-Performance Specialist for Africa. Mr. Zulu joined FAZ in March 2019 as a Football Development Manager before being appointed Technical Director in April 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Loughborough University (UK) and a Sports Performance degree from

09.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Prayers continue to pour in for former Chelsea youth player Lamisha Musonda following reports suggesting that the 33-year-old is battling a critical health condition. Several UK media outlets have quoted an emotional Instagram post attributed to Lamisha Musonda, the first-born son of Zambian football legend Charles Musonda, which has sparked widespread concern within the football community. According to The Sun, Musonda shared a heartfelt message

07.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Former Chipolopolo coach Milutin Sredojevic has attributed Zambia’s disappointing performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to excessive experimentation in player selection and a lack of experience within the squad. Sredojevic said one of the major challenges facing the Chipolopolo team was the imbalance between young and experienced players, which affected consistency and leadership during the tournament. According to the former coach

07.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Former Chipolopolo winger and international football analyst Clifford Mulenga has called on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to urgently implement wide-ranging structural changes, which he believes are critical to improving the state of football in the country. In his remarks, Mulenga stated that his views were not intended to be controversial, but were instead grounded in his research, experience, and genuine concern for the development o

01.01.2026 | Football DNA ⚽️ Minister Announces Dissolution of Team and Coaching Staff Following Poor Tournament Display Gabon’s government has taken a dramatic step in the wake of the country’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco. Following three straight defeats and a bottom-of-the-table finish in their group, the authorities have dissolved the national team setup, dismissed the entire coaching staff, and expelled star forward Pierre-Emerick Auba

31.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ A heated exchange emerged on social media between former Chipolopolo winger Clifford Mulenga and national team captain Fashion Sakala Jr, after Mulenga claimed that Sakala had allegedly fallen ill before Zambia’s match against Morocco because he ate ifinkubala (caterpillars), a delicacy he had supposedly never eaten before. Mulenga reportedly stated on his Facebook page that Sakala chose to try the traditional delicacy ahead of what he described a

30.12.2025 | Muleya Eugene ✍️ Zambian football is bigger than a single tournament, a single coach, or a single group of players. It is a national treasure, a unifying force, and a source of identity and pride. While Zambia’s early exit from AFCON 2025 is disappointing, this frustration must not turn into blame or division. Instead, it should drive reflection, learning, and meaningful reform. The truth is simple and undeniable: Zambia does not lack talent. What the country lac

30.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ Seasoned journalist Augustine Mukoka has expressed the view that young midfielder Given Kalusa could have significantly influenced Moses Sichone’s AFCON campaign had he been given more game time. Mukoka noted that during the 15 minutes Kalusa featured against Morocco, the youngster showed impressive flashes of quality that, in his opinion, had the potential to reshape Sichone’s coaching journey in a positive way. He stated that it was unfortunate

30.12.2025 | Football DNA The Government of the Republic of Zambia has expressed disappointment over the performance of the Zambia Senior Men’s National Football Team at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis C. Nkandu, MP, said the government is not satisfied with the team’s output, especially considering Zambia’s proud history as former African champions. “I am disappointed by the performance of ou

28.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ Chipolopolo Head Coach Moses Sichone says a positive attitude will be decisive as Zambia prepare to take on hosts Morocco in their final Group A match tomorrow evening. Addressing the media during the pre-match press conference in Rabat, Sichone expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion, insisting that Morocco can be beaten if Zambia approach the game with the right mindset. “We need a positive attitude. Morocco can be bea

25.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone says he is not feeling any pressure ahead of Zambia’s crucial Group A clash against Comoros, despite the match being widely viewed as a potential decider at the ongoing AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco. Zambia faces Comoros tomorrow at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, following their opening 1–1 draw against Mali. Speaking during pre-match media duties, Sichone said the technical bench has remained compose

24.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed the appointment of Mexican football manager Sergio Fentanes Orozco as Technical Analyst/Advisor for the Chipolopolo during the ongoing AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco. FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande said the appointment is specifically tied to the AFCON campaign and is intended to provide targeted technical and analytical support to the national team’s technical bench. He revealed th

23.12. 2025 | Football DNA The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has reaffirmed its continued support for former Copper Queens midfielder Mary Mwakapila, who has been battling illness, through its Women’s Football Department and the Women in Soccer Organisation. FAZ Women’s Football Representative and Women in Soccer Organisation President Colonel Priscilla Katoba said the football fraternity had not abandoned Mwakapila and would continue to stand with her and her family

23.12.2025 | Football DNA FAZ President Keith Mweemba has urged the Chipolopolo to remain united, confident, and focused as they continue their AFCON 2025 campaign, following Tuesday’s hard-fought 1–1 draw against Mali. Speaking to the squad in the dressing room after the match, Mweemba stressed that belief, togetherness and collective responsibility will be crucial in Zambia’s journey at the tournament. “Let us have faith, hope and love for each other. We must stay united,”

23.12.2025 | Football DNA Chipolopolo team doctor Wesley Ngongo has dismissed social media speculation suggesting that striker Patson Daka sustained a neck injury during his trademark somersault celebration after scoring against Mali. Rumours online claimed that the Leicester City forward may have mislanded during the celebration, sparking fears of a potential injury setback. However, Dr Ngongo has reassured fans that Zambia’s star striker is fully fit and in perfect conditio

21.12.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ Chipolopolo Head Coach Moses Sichone says patience, belief, and trust in his players helped Zambia secure a crucial draw against Mali. Zambia came from behind to earn a hard-fought 1–1 draw in their 2025 AFCON opening match at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. Speaking after the match, Sichone admitted that starting a tournament against a strong opponent was always going to be challenging. “It’s never easy to play the first game. Mali scored e

21.12.2025 | Football DNA Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone says Zambia is fully focused and motivated ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Mali, expressing confidence that his side is ready to compete strongly on the continental stage. Zambia takes on Mali tomorrow, December 22, 2025, at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off set for 16:00 CAT. Sichone says while the excitement of finally getting into tournament action is evident in camp, the