01.12.2025 | Football DNA Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba has revealed that some members of the Zambia Women’s National Team, the Copper Queens, boycotted training over allowances during the ongoing Four Nations Tournament in Malawi. The Copper Queens are participating in a competition involving hosts Malawi and neighbouring Zimbabwe. However, according to Mweemba, almost the entire squad refused to train, with only six players reporting for the s

01.12.2025 | Football DNA Elvis Nkandu Speaking during the ongoing National Football Indaba in Lusaka The Zambian government has raised alarm over what it terms an “insatiable appetite for allowances” among some Chipolopolo players—an attitude it says is contributing to the national team’s declining performance. Speaking during the ongoing National Football Indaba in Lusaka, Minister of Sport, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu expressed concern over the growing tendency by certain

29.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that Copper Queens Assistant Coach Charles Halubono will temporarily take charge of the national women’s team during the ongoing Three-Nations Tournament in Malawi. In an update issued on Friday, FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande confirmed that Head Coach Nora Hauptle was unable to travel to Lilongwe after falling ill in her home country of Sweden. Hauptle had been scheduled to join the

19.10.2025 | Football DNA Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone has named a 30-member local squad as Zambia begins its preparations for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The selected players will report for camp this weekend as the technical bench kick-starts the first phase of training. This local camp forms part of a broader preparation plan, with the team expected to shift into an international pre-tournament camp in the coming weeks. The 30 players are drawn

27.11.2025 | Football DNA Copper Queens star striker Racheal Kundananji says the team is fully focused on using the upcoming 3-Nations Tournament as a crucial platform to build a strong and competitive squad ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Kundananji emphasised that the tournament will give the technical bench an opportunity to assess both new and returning players as they work toward forming a formidable team for next year’s continental showdown. “T

26.11.2025 | Football DNA Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone has officially announced his 55-man provisional squad for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The expanded list complies with CAF’s requirement for teams to submit broader preliminary squads ahead of the tournament, set to run from December 21 to January 18. This year’s provisional squad showcases a blend of experience, rising domestic stars, and exciting new faces from the diaspora. Notably, 21-year-old Manch

24.11. 2025 | Football DNA Copper Queens head coach Nora Hauptle has unveiled a strong 26-member squad for the upcoming FIFA Window Three-Nations Tournament, set to take place in Lilongwe, Malawi, from November 28 to December 2. With captain Barbra Banda sidelined due to injury, the team will be led by United States–based star Racheal Kundananji, who plays for Bay FC in the NWSL. Despite the absence of their skipper, the Copper Queens have called up a solid mix of internatio

16.11.2025 | Football DNA The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed that coach Moses Sichone, midfielder Miguel Chaiwa, and video analyst Elias Chipota have been admitted to St George Private Hospital in Port Elizabeth following reported cases of suspected food poisoning within the Chipolopolo camp on Saturday in South Africa. According to FAZ, the trio were taken to the hospital after their condition worsened, with symptoms including fever, diarrhoea, and vomiti

15.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has released an important medical update ahead of this afternoon’s FIFA International Friendly Match, confirming that Chipolopolo head coach Moses Sichone and several members of his technical bench and playing squad have been ruled out due to suspected food poisoning. According to a statement by FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande, Technical Committee Vice Chairperson Kalusha Bwalya has remained at the

13.11.2025 | Football DNA The Chipolopolo have departed for Port Elizabeth as they prepare for Saturday’s FIFA Window international friendly against South Africa. Coach Moses Sichone has called up a 33-man squad, with four foreign-based players traveling with the local contingent aboard South African Airways at 14:30. Sichone will lead an all-local technical bench, including Perry Mutapa, Andrew Sinkala, Noel Mwandila, Kennedy Mweene, and Joseph Musonda. The foreign-based con

13.11.2025 | Football DNA There’s a renewed sense of purpose brewing within the Zambian national football team, and it’s being led by newly appointed coach Moses Sichone. In his first public address since taking the helm, Sichone delivered a powerful message of ambition, unity, and a clear-eyed vision for the future of the Chipolopolo. A Pledge to the Nation At the heart of Sichone’s message was a solemn promise: “We will do our level best to make sure that the team brings gl

By Crispin Ngulube | 12.11.2025 With all due respect, it might be time for the senior Chipolopolo to take a long, hard look at the Under-17 boys — and learn a thing or two. The juniors are playing with the kind of hunger, chemistry, and confidence that seems to have faded from the senior team. Right now, the U17s are the ones carrying the true spirit of Zambian football. At the moment, the senior side appears to be missing that magic spark, the zeal, and the belief needed to

10.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ The Zambia Under-17 national team capped off a memorable group-stage campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 with a spirited 1–1 draw against four-time world champions Brazil at the Aspire Zone in Doha. The result saw Zambia finish second in Group H with seven points from three matches—level with Brazil but behind on goal difference. Brazil topped the group with a +11 goal difference, while Zambia finished with +5, ensuring both nations pro

05.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced that former Chipolopolo defender and long-serving assistant coach Moses Sichone has been appointed as the new head coach of the Zambia national football team. According to the association, Sichone will be assisted by his former teammates Andrew Sinkala and Perry Mutapa. Sinkala, who has been based in Germany, joins the national setup alongside Mutapa, who currently serves as head coach of Green Ea

04.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ Zambia U17 Coach Dennis Makinka Zambia Under-17 head coach Dennis Makinka has commended his players for their fighting spirit following a 3-1 comeback victory against Indonesia in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Zambia appeared to have made a dream start when Mapalo Simute found the back of the net just 24 seconds into the match, connecting with a Kelvin Chipelu cross. However, their celebrations were short-lived as V

02.11.2025 | Football DNA The Zambian government has reportedly indicated that its main focus is on rebuilding a strong Senior Men’s National Football Team rather than exerting pressure on winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). According to Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu, the Chipolopolo squad is said to be going through a period of instability, and the emphasis should therefore be on developing a team that can bring honors in the future. He is reported to have explain

01.11.2025 | Football DNA ⚽️ South Africa legend Mlungisi Ngubane has questioned the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) decision to line up a friendly match against Zambia, arguing that Bafana Bafana should be testing themselves against stronger opponents ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ngubane believes that while Zambia remains a respected side on the continent, the fixture does not serve South Africa’s broader ambitions of competing at the highest level globally.

29.10.2025 | Football DNA The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced a mutual separation with Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant, bringing an end to his tenure as head coach of the Zambia Senior Men’s National Team. FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande stated that both parties agreed to the separation in order to chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo. “The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has agreed to mutually separate with Zambia Senior Men’s National Te

29.10.2025 | Football DNA Zambia head coach Avram Grant has expressed confidence that the Chipolopolo are ready to make a strong impression at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Speaking to CAFOnline.com, Grant said the team was approaching the tournament with a sense of ambition and realism, adding that proper preparation and team unity would be crucial if Zambia were to reach the knockout stages. “We’re preparing properly this time,” Grant stated.

26.10.2025 | Football DNA Zambia National U17 Women Coach Carol Kanyemba Daka The Copper Princesses produced a breathtaking performance to demolish New Zealand 🇳🇿 4–0, sealing their place in the knockout stages of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco 🇲🇦 — a historic first for Zambia at this level. Just days after celebrating the nation’s 61st Independence Anniversary, the young Zambian side delivered a performance full of flair, confidence, and determination