Zambia women's national football team

Zambia women's national football team is called The She-polopolo.[2][3] In 1985, almost no country in the world had a women's national football team.[4] 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.[5] In 2009, there were 100 women's teams for players over 16, and 112 youth women's teams for players under 16.[5] There is a national women's league established in the country along with regional and school competitions.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[7]

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.[8] The team's official kit colours include green shorts, a green jersey and green socks.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11][12][13]

Between these games and 2001, the country did not play in any FIFA sanctioned matches.[12] 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.[11][12][14] 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.[11][12] By 2003, the country was ranked the 106th best female women's national team by FIFA.[15]

In 2004, their rank dropped to 113.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

In 2005, the country's FIFA ranking was unchanged and remained 113,[15] with the country playing in no FIFA recognised matches.[12] The following year, in 2006, Zambia women's national football team world ranking dropped down to 126.[15] That year, the head coach was George Chikokola.[18] 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.[12] 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.[12] 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.[19] There is no indication this tournament happened.[12]

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.[18] 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.[12][14]

2007 saw an improvement in rank for Zambia, moving up nine sports to 117 best team in the world.[15] 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.[20] 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.[12][21] In the return match on Sunday, 16 December 2007 in a game played in Lusaka, Zambia won 2–1 against Zimbabwe.[12][21]

In 2008, the team's ranking again went up, this time to 110.[15] 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.[12] In 2009, FIFA ranked the country as the 92 in the world.[15] That year, they did not play any FIFA recognised matches.[12] The team's world ranking fell in 2010 to 122.[15] That year, they played in only two FIFA recognised matches.[12] 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.[12] 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.[12]

Zambia women's national football team's rank fell again in 2011, this time to 125th best in the world.[15] 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.[22] 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.[12] 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.[12] On Sunday, 3 July, Zambia won 4–1 against Tanzania.[12] On Tuesday, 5 July, Botswana lost 1–4 against Zambia.[12] The country did not have a team competing at the 2011 All Africa Games.[23]

Going into the 2012 season, the national team coach is Enala Phiri-Simbeye, a woman[2][10] with Deborah Chisanga serving as the team's skipper.[24] 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.[2][10][12][25] 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.[12][25][26] In March 2012, the team was ranked the 126th best in the world and the 19th best in CAF.[27]

In the African qualifier of 2020 Olympics, they defeated Cameroon in the final round and qualified for the Olympics for the first time.[28]

For the 2012 Summer Olympics, there are no age restrictions for players,[29] though Zambia has opted to qualify with a U20/U23 side.[30][31] 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.[30][31] 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 daughter of Zambia's President.[32]

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.[12][33] 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.[12][33]

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.[34][35] The team participated in the 2008, 2010 and 2012 African qualification tournaments for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[34][36]

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.[37] The team participated in the first edition of the African Women U-19 Championship held in 2002.[38]

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.[39]

The following 20 players were called up for the 2020 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (fifth round).

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
1	1GK	Ng'ambo Musole	(1998-06-23) 23 June 1998	ZESCO United
16	1GK	Hazel Nali	(1998-04-04) 4 April 1998	Green Buffaloes
18	1GK	Catherine Musonda	(1998-02-20) 20 February 1998	Indeni Roses
2	2DF	Emelda Musonda	(1994-11-29) 29 November 1994	Red Arrows F.C.
3	2DF	Lushomo Mweemba	(2001-04-10) 10 April 2001	Nkwazi
4	2DF	Jacqueline Nkole	(1998-08-05) 5 August 1998	Indeni Roses
5	2DF	Anita Mulenga	(1995-05-03) 3 May 1995	Green Buffaloes
8	2DF	Margaret Belemu	(1997-02-24) 24 February 1997	Red Arrows F.C.
12	2DF	Rhoda Chileshe	(1998-05-08) 8 May 1998	Indeni Roses
13	2DF	Martha Tembo	(1998-03-08) 8 March 1998	Green Buffaloes
19	2DF	Fikile Khosa		Red Arrows F.C.
6	3MF	Judith Zulu	(1997-09-11) 11 September 1997	Green Buffaloes
14	3MF	Ireen Lungu	(1997-10-06) 6 October 1997	Green Buffaloes
15	3MF	Theresa Chewe	(1997-11-27) 27 November 1997	Red Arrows F.C.
17	3MF	Mary Mwakapila	(1995-06-05) 5 June 1995	Green Buffaloes
7	4FW	Misozi Zulu	(1994-10-11) 11 October 1994	BIIK Kazygurt
9	4FW	Hellen Mubanga	(1995-05-23) 23 May 1995	Red Arrows F.C.
10	4FW	Grace Chanda	(1997-06-11) 11 June 1997	ZESCO United
11	4FW	Barbra Banda (C)	(2000-03-20) 20 March 2000	Shanghai Shengli
20	4FW	Racheal Nachula	(1986-01-14) 14 January 1986	Green Buffaloes