Zambia women's national football team

Zambia
Nickname(s) The She-polopolo
Association Football Association of Zambia
Confederation CAF
Sub-confederation COSAFA
Head coach Bruce Mwape
Captain Misozi Zulu
FIFA code ZAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 96 Increase 6 (15 December 2017)
Highest 92 (2009)
Lowest 126 (March 2012)
First international
 South Africa 5–3 Zambia 
(South Africa; 5 November 1994)
Biggest win
 Zambia 8–0 Malawi 
(Harare, Zimbabwe; 20 April 2002)
Biggest defeat
 Zambia 0–6 Nigeria 
(Windhoek, Namibia; 14 October 2014)
African Women's Championship
Appearances 2 (first in 1995)
Best result Quarterfinals (1995)

Zambia women's national football team, nicknamed The She-polopolo, represents the country in international match. There is also a Zambia women's national under-17 football team, a Zambia women's national under-20 football team, and Olympic qualifying team and a Homeless World Cup team. The country has participated in several qualifying tournaments for the FIFA Women's World Cup and other African-based football tournaments. The team is currently ranked 106th in the world.

Background

Zambia women's national football team is called The She-polopolo.[1][2] In 1985, almost no country in the world had a women's national football team.[3] Women's football was formally organised by the Football Association of Zambia in 1983. Since that time, Zambia has created a women's senior national team and an under-20 team. Women's football continues to be supported by the national federation who have budgeted money for the women's game and youth game.[4] In 2009, there were 100 women's teams for players over 16, and 112 youth women's teams for players under 16.[4] There is a national women's league established in the country along with regional and school competitions.[4]

Women's football in Africa as a whole faces problems that include limited access to education, poverty amongst women in the wider society, and fundamental inequality present in the society that occasionally allows for female specific human rights abuses.[5] When quality football players are produced in Africa, often they leave the country to seek greater opportunities elsewhere, to the detriment of the local game.[6] Funding also is a problem for the women's game in Africa, with most of the funding for women's football in the Africa coming from FIFA, not the local national football association.[6]

Zambia women's national football team has had their kit sponsored. In 2003, the kit for the national team was provided as a result of a sponsorship deal with Umbro who first agreed to sponsor the Zambia national football team.[7] The team's official kit colours include green shorts, a green jersey and green socks.[8] The team has received media coverage from the Daily Mail, Times of Zambia and the Post Newspapers. This coverage has included pictures of players being printed in the newspaper and interviews with players.[9]

Performance

Some of the earliest matches Zambia women's national football team played were in 1994, for qualification for 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. They played in a 5 November 1994 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in South Africa, where Zambia lost 3–5. In the return match in Lusaka, Zambia on 17 November 1994, Zambia lost again but with a score of 2–6.[10][11][12]

Between these games and 2001, the country did not play in any FIFA sanctioned matches.[11] The country participated in the 2002 Confederation of Southern African Football Associations women's tournament in Harare, Zimbabwe. They were in Group A. Zambia beat the Malawi women's national football team 8–0 on 20 April. Zambia played against Zimbabwe women's national football team on 22 April where they lost 0–4. On 23 April, Zambia beat Lesotho women's national football team 3–1. They finished second in their group. On 26 April, Zambia lost to South Africa women's national football team 1–3 in the semifinals. They went on to beat Mozambique women's national football team 1–0 in the third place game, with Julia Siame scoring the only goal in the 60th minute.[10][11][13] Later that year, in a regional qualifying match for a different tournament, on 21 September in Lusaka, Zambia against South Africa, the team lost 1–4 after being down 0–2 at the half. In the return match in South Africa on 12 October 2002, they again lost 0–4.[10][11] By 2003, the country was ranked the 106th best female women's national team by FIFA.[14]

In 2004, their rank dropped to 113.[14] That year, the team was coached by Cephias Katongo, who was also coaching the Zambia national under-17 football team and a top level club team at the same time.[15] In 2004, Zimbabwe women's national football team had committed to play a match against Zambia before Zimbabwe took on Tanzania in Dar e Salaam but this did not happen because of organizational problems by Zimbabwe Football Association.[16]

In 2005, the country's FIFA ranking was unchanged and remained 113,[14] with the country playing in no FIFA recognised matches.[11] The following year, in 2006, Zambia women's national football team world ranking dropped down to 126.[14] That year, the head coach was George Chikokola.[17] In March 2006, the team played a home and away set of against Congo DR. On Saturday, 11 March 2006 in a game played in Lubumbashi, Congo DR won 3–0 against Zambia. Congo DR led 1–0 at the half.[11] On Saturday, 25 March 2006 in a game played in Chingola, Zambia lost 2–3, a score that remained the same from half time, against Congo DR.[11] In 2005, Zambia was supposed to host a regional COSAFA women's football tournament, with ten teams agreeing to send teams including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.[18] There is no indication this tournament happened.[11]

The 2006 team had 20 players. The regional COSAFA championship team was announced on 18 August 2006. Three other players were chosen as reserves. The roster included Goalkeepers: Mwenzi Lungu and Christabel Kabemba, Defenders: Sampa Mutale, Lillian Chalimbana, Florence Tembo, Anna Lungu, Harriet Banda, Charity Mwanza and Ruth Mubanga, Midfielders: Etas Banda, Martha Mutale, Susan Banda and Rixina Lutaka, Strikers: Gift Lisaka, Charity Mpongo, Debora Shamaoma, Mwangala Kamuti, Noria Sosala, Mutimbwa Chizyuka and Sandra Mwamba. The reserves were Loveness Musoni, Leya Bowa and Abba Lungu.[17] The 2006 Confederation of Southern African Football Associations women's tournament was held in Lusaka. They were in Group A. On 22 August, they tied Namibia 2–2 with Noria Sosala scoring in the 15th minute and Charity Mpongo scoring in the 30th minute for Zambia. They beat Swaziland 7–0 on 24 August, with Charity Mpongo scoring in the 23rd, 43rd, 64th and 67th minutes, Susan Banda scoring in the 37th minute, Gift Lishika scoring in the 41st minute, and Martha Kapombo scoring in the 56th minute for Zambia. They finished in the top of their group. On 25 August in a semifinal against Namibia, they tied 1–1 with Martha Kapombo scoring their only goal in the 90th minute. They lost the game in an overtime shoot out by 4–5. On 26 August, they beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to finish third with Noria Sosala scoring both goals in the 67th and 75th minutes.[11][13]

2007 saw an improvement in rank for Zambia, moving up nine sports to 117 best team in the world.[14] That year, the team was supported to participate in the 2007 African Games qualifying tournament, opening against the Mozambique women's national football team but Zambia withdrew from the tournament before they played a single game.[19] Later that year, on Sunday, 2 December 2007 in a game played in Harare, Zimbabwe won 3–1 against Zambia. The game was part of the 2008 African Women Championship.[11][20] In the return match on Sunday, 16 December 2007 in a game played in Lusaka, Zambia won 2–1 against Zimbabwe.[11][20]

In 2008, the team's ranking again went up, this time to 110.[14] The played one FIFA recognised match on Sunday, 4 May 2008 in a game played in Benguela against Botswana. Zambia won 4–2, holding on from a 3–1 score at the half.[11] In 2009, FIFA ranked the country as the 92 in the world.[14] That year, they did not play any FIFA recognised matches.[11] The team's world ranking fell in 2010 to 122.[14] That year, they played in only two FIFA recognised matches.[11] The first was on Saturday, 2 October 2010 in a game played in Lobatse against Botswana, which Zambia won 4–1, holding on to a 3–0 half time lead.[11] The second game was on Saturday, 23 October 2010 in a game played in Lusaka. Zambia won 2–1 against Botswana holding on to a 1–0 half time lead.[11]

Zambia women's national football team's rank fell again in 2011, this time to 125th best in the world.[14] They did not make it into the final group qualification round for the CAF region that fought it out to represent Africa in the World Cup.[21] In January, the team played a pair of games against South Africa. They lost the 15 January game in Lusaka 1–2, going down despite a score of 0–0 at the half. They lost the 29 January game in Umlazi 0–3 after being down 0–1 at the half.[11] Later that year, they played three games in Harare against South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana. On Saturday, 2 July, South Africa won 4–1 against Zambia.[11] On Sunday, 3 July, Zambia won 4–1 against Tanzania.[11] On Tuesday, 5 July, Botswana lost 1–4 against Zambia.[11] The country did not have a team competing at the 2011 All Africa Games.[22]

Going into the 2012 season, the national team coach is Enala Phiri-Simbeye, a woman[1][9] with Deborah Chisanga serving as the team's skipper.[23] On 14 January 2012, they played a game against Malawi that they won 7–0 after being ahead 4–0 at the half. The game was part of the CAF African Women's Championship and was played in the first round and played in Lusaka. Prior to the start of the game, the team danced on the field and sang Chikokishi music. Players on their roster included Anne Kabanji, Misozi Zulu and Mwila Bowa.[1][9][11][24] Malawi beat Zambia 4–2 following a 1–0 lead at halftime in the return leg played in Blantyre, Malawi on 29 January 2012. Suzan Banda scored the second goal of the game, and the first for Zambia in the match. Mupopa Kawange scored Zambia's second goal. Zambia had a number of fans, most women, who attended the game in Malawi. These fans played music during the game to encourage their teams players. Music played included "Time Time yawo yatha", a Zambian hit song. Another song played was a "Akamwire", a Malai hit song.[11][24][25] In March 2012, the team was ranked the 126th best in the world and the 19th best in CAF.[26]

World Cup record

Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
China 1991 Did Not Enter
Sweden 1995 Did Not Qualify
United States 1999 Did Not Enter
United States 2003 Did Not Qualify
China 2007 Did Not Qualify
Germany 2011 Did Not Enter
Canada 2015 Did Not Qualify
Total0/7000000

Africa Women's Championship record

CAF Women's Championship
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
1991 Withdrew
1995 Quarterfinals2002511
Nigeria 1998 Did not enter
South Africa 2000
Nigeria 2002 Did not qualify
South Africa 2004 Did not enter
Nigeria 2006 Did not qualify
Equatorial Guinea 2008
South Africa 2010 Did not enter
Equatorial Guinea 2012 Did not qualify
Namibia 2014Group stage301219
Cameroon 2016 Did not qualify
Ghana 2018Qualified
Total3/135014620

Current squad

Roster for the 2014 African Women's Championship.

Head coach: Bruce Mwape

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Club
1 1GK Miriam Katamanda (1991-03-28)28 March 1991 (aged 23) Zambia Red Arrows F.C.
2 2DF Grace Zulu (1988-01-13)13 January 1988 (aged 26) Zambia Bauleni Sports Academy
3 2DF Ethel Chama (1992-08-07)7 August 1992 (aged 22) Zambia Green Buffaloes F.C.
4 3MF Susan Banda (1995-06-01)1 June 1995 (aged 19) Zambia Red Arrows F.C.
5 3MF Mary Mwakapila (1995-06-05)5 June 1995 (aged 19) Zambia Bauleni Sports Academy
6 2DF Meya Banda (1991-07-05)5 July 1991 (aged 23) Zambia Green Buffaloes F.C.
7 3MF Misozi Zulu (1992-02-04)4 February 1992 (aged 22) Zambia National Assembly F.C.
8 3MF Lweendo Chisamu (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 24) Zambia Chibolya Queens
9 4FW Hellen Mubanga (1987-02-17)17 February 1987 (aged 27) Zambia Bauleni Sports Academy
10 4FW Noria Sosala (1985-05-01)1 May 1985 (aged 29) Zambia National Assembly F.C.
11 3MF Kabange Mupopo (c) (1992-09-21)21 September 1992 (aged 22) Zambia Green Buffaloes F.C.
12 3MF Esther Mukwasa (1994-09-09)9 September 1994 (aged 20) Zambia Moba Queens
13 3MF Justina Banda (1992-02-01)1 February 1992 (aged 22) Zambia Olympic Centre
14 3MF Racheal Lungu (1988-01-13)13 January 1988 (aged 26) Zambia Bauleni Sports Academy
15 2DF Annie Kibanji (1989-04-04)4 April 1989 (aged 25) Zambia Green Buffaloes F.C.
16 1GK Hazel Nali (1991-12-01)1 December 1991 (aged 22) Zambia Chibolya Queens
17 4FW Carol Howes (1996-01-20)20 January 1996 (aged 18) Australia Balcatta FC
18 4FW Nchawaka Saili (1996-07-02)2 July 1996 (aged 18) Zambia Bauleni Sports Academy
19 2DF Anita Mulenga (1992-02-23)23 February 1992 (aged 22) Zambia Green Buffaloes F.C.
20 2DF Emelda Musonda (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29) Zambia Red Arrows F.C.
21 1GK Wendy Kunda (1997-10-23)23 October 1997 (aged 16) Zambia Mooba Queens

Other national women's teams

U-17 and U-20

Zambia women's national under-17 football team has competed in several competitions representing their country, including in the qualifying part of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the African Women U-17 Championships.[27][28] The team participated in the 2008, 2010 and 2012 African qualification tournaments for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[27][29]

Zambia women's national under-20 football team has participated in qualification tournaments for several events including the U19/U20 World Cup and the African Women's Championships.[30] The team participated in the first edition of the African Women U-19 Championship held in 2002.[31]

Olympic and U-23 team

For the 2012 Summer Olympics, there are no age restrictions for players,[32] though Zambia has opted to qualify with a U20/U23 side.[33][34] Zambia competed in the qualifying tournament in an effort to represent the country at the 2012 Summer Olympics. The qualification tournament started in 2010. The team was coached by Enala Phiri-Simbeye. During their campaign, they beat the Botswana women's national football team 4–1 in Gaborone and beat them again 2–1 in Lusaka. The quality performance of the team earned praise from women's groups inside the country.[33][34] In January 2011, Zambia had to face South Africa in the qualifying tournament for the Olympics. The squad named to play against South Africa included goalkeepers Mirriam Katamanda, Ennie Matukuta, Defenders Meya Banda, Verocia Chiluba, Jessica Chabota, Mulai Wilombe, Deborah Chisenga, Veronica Chisala, Midfielders Misozi Zulu, Susan Banda, Etas Banda, Fostina Sakala, Kabange Mupopo, Rachel Chisha, Chisala Musonda, and Strikers Mwila Bowa, Noria Sosala, Gift Lisaka and Ednasha Mambwe. Chiluba is the second President of Zambia's daughter.[35]

Coached by Enala Simbeya, Zambia's U23 team participated in the 2011 All-Africa Games qualifiers. They played a paid of games against Zimbabwe. On Sunday, 13 February 2011 in a game played at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe won 1–0 against Zambia, overcoming a half time score of 0–0.[11][36] On the return leg played on Sunday, 27 February 2011 in a game played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia lost 1–3 to Zimbabwe, scoring a goal in the second half with the first half ending with Zambia down 0–3. Simbeya did not name her 18-woman team until a day before the game. The loss eliminated them, with Zimbabwe going on to play Angola.[11][36]

Homeless World Cup

In 2008, a national team represented the country at the Homeless World Cup. In round robin play, they won every game and were Crowned Champions. The tournament was held in Australia Melbourne. They beat Paraguay 6–1, Uganda 6–1, Kyrgyzstan 5–4, Liberia 4–1, Cameroon 17–0, Australia 18–1 and Colombia 10–1. In the half finals, they beat Kyrgyzstan 10–0. In the final, they beat Liberia 7–1.The team that represented Zambia at the Homeless World Cup was led by the Twins Coach and Manager James Chibuye and John Chibuye. The tournament was a five aside tournament and it carried eight players Christine Kabemba, Grace Mwango, Melinda Namafe, Carol Kanyemba, Ednasha Mambwe, Jessica Chabota, Ireen Chanda and Sarah Daka.[37]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "She-polopolo refuses to write off Malawi | Malawi news, Malawi — NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi". Nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "She-polopolo won't underrate Malawi". MTNFootball. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Chrös McDougall (1 January 2012). Soccer. ABDO. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-61783-146-1. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Goal! Football: Zambia" (PDF). FIFA. 21 April 2009. p. 4. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  5. ↑ Jean Williams (15 December 2007). A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football. Berg. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-84520-674-1. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  6. 1 2 Gabriel Kuhn (24 February 2011). Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics. PM Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60486-053-5. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  7. ↑ Gundu, Tamara; Mukoka, Augustine (1 August 2003). "The Post (Zambia) – AAGM: Faz Calls Urgent Ordinary Meeting". The Post. Zambia. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) – Information – Zambia – CAF". Cafonline.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 "Celebrating Women's National Football Team". Nowspar.org. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 Sébastien Duret (seduret@aol.com) (5 November 2003). "South Africa — Women — International Results". Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "Zambia: Fixtures and Results". FIFA. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  12. ↑ "Previous Tournaments". FIFA.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  13. 1 2 "COSAFA Women Tournaments". Rsssf.com. 7 September 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Zambia: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  15. ↑ Lubasi, Chris (11 June 2004). "The Post (Zambia) – AAGM: Kashimoto to Coach Roan United". The Post. Zambia. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  16. ↑ Mutungamiri, Lloyd (18 July 2004). "Zimbabwe Standard — AAGM: Mighty Warriors: Local Soccer's Poor Relations". Zimbabwe Standard. Zimbabwe. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  17. 1 2 Nambule, Wendy (19 August 2006). "The Post (Zambia) – AAGM: Chikokola Picks Final Women's Cosafa Team". The Post. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  18. ↑ Mukoka, Augustine (16 August 2005). "The Post (Zambia) – AAGM: Zambia to Host Cosafa Women's Soccer Tourney". The Post. Lusaka, Zambia. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  19. ↑ "African Games (Women) 2007". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  20. 1 2 Omorodion, Patrick (2 December 2007). "Vanguard (Nigeria) – AAGM: Super Falcons Take a Rest as Women Battle". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  21. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup". FIFA.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  22. ↑ "Groups & standings — All Africa Games women 2011 – CAF". Cafonline.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  23. ↑ Sports. "Malawi, Zambia women skippers in mind games- report | Malawi news, Malawi – NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi". Nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  24. 1 2 "Fixtures — African Women Championship 2010 – CAF". Cafonline.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  25. ↑ "Malawi beat Zambia but crashes out of CAF | Malawi news, Malawi — NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi". Nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  26. ↑ "The FIFA Women's World Ranking". FIFA.com. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  27. 1 2 "Women U-17 World Cup". Rsssf.com. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  28. ↑ "African Women U-17 Championship 2008". Rsssf.com. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  29. ↑ "FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Qualifiers". FIFA.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  30. ↑ "Women U-19/U-20 World Cup". Rsssf.com. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  31. ↑ "African Women U-19 Championship 2002". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  32. ↑ "Football". London 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  33. 1 2 "AAGM: Handbags On the Pitch". Daily Nation. Nairobi, Kenya. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  34. 1 2 "The Post Newspapers Zambia – Latest News, Politics, Business, Sports, Photos, Videos » Sports News » U-20 women face Botswana". Postzambia.com. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  35. ↑ "She-polopolo team manager: Its David v Goliath". Zambianfootball.net. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  36. 1 2 "The Post Newspapers Zambia – Latest News, Politics, Business, Sports, Photos, Videos » Sports News » Zim women U-23 coach upbeat about Zambia encounter". Postzambia.com. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  37. ↑ "Homeless Football World Cup". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
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