Chipolopolo: Zambia National Team

Chipolopolo, the Copper Bullets, are Zambia’s men’s national football team, African champions in 2012. George Lwandamina has led the side as interim coach since March 2026, with Fashion Sakala as captain, and Zambia have three points from two AFCON 2027 qualifiers in Group I with Algeria, Togo and Burundi. This page covers the qualifying campaign, the squad and Zambia’s tournament record.

Chipolopolo AFCON 2027 qualifying

Zambia lost 3-1 away to Algeria in the opening round and then beat Togo 2-0 at home on 29 September 2026, leaving them second in Group I on three points. Lwandamina picked his squads after an assessment camp for players based in Zambia, and the next two qualifiers are between 9 and 17 November 2026. Zambia host Burundi on 13 November 2026 at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka; the match was moved from the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola after CAF gave the Lusaka ground temporary approval for November matches.

Match	Result or date
Algeria v Zambia	3-1, lost
Zambia v Togo	2-0, won
Zambia v Burundi	13 November 2026, National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

Zambia’s tournament record

Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 in Libreville, the city where the national team’s plane had crashed in 1993. At AFCON 2025 they went out in the group stage, fourth in Group A with two points, and they did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

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Chipolopolo FAQ

Who is the Zambia national team coach?

George Lwandamina has been interim coach of Chipolopolo since March 2026. Fashion Sakala is the captain.

When did Zambia win AFCON?

Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012, beating Ivory Coast on penalties in the final in Libreville, Gabon.

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