# Zambia national football team

The Zambia national football team represents Zambia in association football and is governed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). During the 1980s, they were known as the KK 11, after founding president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda ("KK") who ruled Zambia from 1964 to 1991. After the country adopted multiparty politics, the side was nicknamed Chipolopolo which means the "Copper Bullets". The team won an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012. This team has also become the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, surpassing Zimbabwe after winning the 2023 edition.

## History
### Zambian Air Force Flight 319

Tragedy struck the Zambian team when the military plane (REG: AF-319) transporting the team to Senegal for a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier crashed late in the evening, on April 27, 1993. Three stops were planned for re-fuelling, but at the first stop, in Brazzaville, engine problems were noted on the Buffalo DHC-5D of the Zambia Air Force. Despite this, the flight continued, and a few minutes after take-off from Libreville, Gabon, where the second stopover had taken place, one of the engines caught fire and stopped. The pilot, who had already made a flight from Mauritius the day before, accidentally shut down the other engine, which was still running. The loss of power, during the climb after take-off, caused the plane to fall and crash into the water 500m off the coast. All 30 passengers and crew, including 18 players, were killed in the accident.

### 1994–2012

On June 3, 1994, in Brussels, the Zambian football team succumbed to one of the worst losses in its history against Belgium, losing 9–0. At CAN 1996, they finished first in the group with two victories (5–1 against Burkina Faso, goals from Kenneth Malitoli, double from Kalusha Bwalya, goals from Dennis Lota and Johnson Bwalya); 4–0 against Sierra Leone (a hattrick from Kalusha Bwalya and goal from Mordon Malitoli) and a draw (0–0 against Algeria), beat Egypt (3–1) in the quarterfinals and loses in semis against Tunisia (2–4) but took third place over Ghana (1–0, goal from Johnson Bwalya). Kalusha Bwalya was the best in the competition with 5 goals. From 1998 to 2006, Zambia did not pass the first round, except in 2004 when they failed to qualify. On September 3, 2006, at home, Zambia achieved the biggest victory in its history against Djibouti, winning 10–0. During the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Zambia finished third in the group with a 3–0 victory against Sudan (goals by James Chamanga, Jacob Mulenga and Felix Katongo), a draw (1–1 against Egypt, goal from Chris Katongo) and loss (1–5 against Cameroon, goal from Chris Katongo). In 2010, Zambia finished first in her group and faced Nigeria in the quarter-finals where she lost on penalties. Jacob Mulenga and Emmanuel Mbola were included in the tournament's Best XI. In 2012, the best AFCON in Zambia history happened. During the tournament's group stage, they defeated Senegal(2–1), drew with Libya (2-2), and defeated Equatorial Guinea (1–0), and qualified top of their group. During the knockout stage, Zambia defeated Sudan (3–0) in the Quarterfinals, beat Ghana in the semifinals (1–0) and went up against Ivory Coast in the final, where they won their first title, after defeating them in a dramatic Penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw after extra time.

## Kit provider

| Kit provider | Period |
| Adidas | 1993–1996 |
| Puma | 1997–2000 |
| Diadora | 2001–2002 |
| Umbro | 2003 |
| Nike | 2004–2015 |
| Kappa | 2016 |
| Mafro | 2017 |
| KoPa | 2018– |

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2025
## Managers

    Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
* Ted Virba (1978)
* Brian Tiler (1978–80)
* Ted Dumitru (1980–81)
* Ante Bušelić (1981–82)
* Bill McGarry (1982–83)
* Wieslaw Grabowski (1983–84)
* Jeff Butler (1984)
* Roy Mulenga (1984)
* Brightwell Banda (1984–86)
* Samuel Ndhlovu (1987–92)
* Moses Simwala (1993)
* Godfrey Chitalu (1993)
* Roald Poulsen (1993–94)
* Ian Porterfield (1994)
* Roald Poulsen (1994–96)
* Freddie Mwila (1996–97)
* George Mungwa (1997)
* Burkhard Ziese (1997–98)
* George Mungwa (1998)
* Obby Kapita (1998)
* Fighton Simukonda (1998)
* Ben Bamfuchile (1999–2000)
* George Mungwa (2000)
* Jan Brouwer (2000–01)
* Roald Poulsen (2002)
* Patrick Phiri (2002–03)
* Kalusha Bwalya (2003–06)
* Patrick Phiri (2006–08)
* Hervé Renard (2008–10)
* Wedson Nyirenda & Honour Janza (2010)
* George Lwandamina (2010)
* Dario Bonetti (2010–11)
* Hervé Renard (2011–13)
* Patrice Beaumelle (2013–14)
* Honour Janza (2014–15)
* George Lwandamina (2015–16)
* Wedson Nyirenda (2016–18)
* Beston Chambeshi (2018)
* Sven Vandenbroeck (2018–19)
* Aggrey Chiyangi (2019–20)
* Milutin Sredojević (2020–21)
* Beston Chambeshi (2021–22)
* Aljoša Asanović (2022)
* Moses Sichone (2022)
* Avram Grant (2022–)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Chad on 11 and 15 October 2024.
Caps and goals as of 10 September 2024, after the game against Sierra Leone.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Toaster Nsabata | (1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 (age 31) | 39 | 0 | ZESCO United |
| 1GK | Lawrence Mulenga | (1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 26) | 20 | 0 | Power Dynamos |
| 1GK | Francis Mwansa | (2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 22) | 5 | 0 | Green Buffaloes |
| 1GK | Victor Chabu | (1994-02-22) 22 February 1994 (age 31) | 1 | 0 | Nchanga Rangers |
| 2DF | Benedict Chepeshi | (1996-06-10) 10 June 1996 (age 28) | 48 | 0 | Red Arrows |
| 2DF | Kabaso Chongo | (1992-02-11) 11 February 1992 (age 33) | 45 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 2DF | Tandi Mwape | (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 (age 28) | 29 | 1 | Mazembe |
| 2DF | Frankie Musonda | (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 27) | 16 | 1 | Ayr United |
| 2DF | Gift Mphande | (2003-11-19) 19 November 2003 (age 21) | 6 | 0 | Hapoel Rishon LeZion |
| 2DF | David Bulaya | (1997-10-07) 7 October 1997 (age 27) | 0 | 0 | Napsa Stars |
| 2DF | Peter Kalota | (1999-08-23) 23 August 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Red Arrows |
| 3MF | Lubambo Musonda (captain) | (1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 (age 30) | 55 | 2 | Silkeborg |
| 3MF | Kelvin Kampamba | (1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 (age 28) | 49 | 7 | ZESCO United |
| 3MF | Clatous Chama | (1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 33) | 40 | 7 | Simba |
| 3MF | Benson Sakala | (1996-09-12) 12 September 1996 (age 28) | 40 | 0 | Mladá Boleslav |
| 3MF | Kings Kangwa | (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 25) | 34 | 7 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva |
| 3MF | Lameck Banda | (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 24) | 17 | 3 | Lecce |
| 3MF | Miguel Chaiwa | (2004-06-07) 7 June 2004 (age 20) | 12 | 0 | Young Boys |
| 3MF | Obino Chisala | (1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25) | 3 | 0 | CD Costa do Sol |
| 3MF | Joseph Banda | (2005-12-17) 17 December 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Zürich |
| 4FW | Edward Chilufya | (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25) | 18 | 1 | Häcken |
| 4FW | Kennedy Musonda | (1994-12-28) 28 December 1994 (age 30) | 11 | 1 | Young Africans |
| 4FW | Jimmy Mukeya | (2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 23) | 5 | 0 | Kansanshi Dynamos |
| 4FW | Francisco Mwepu | (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 25) | 3 | 0 | Cádiz |
| 4FW | Chipyoka Songa | (2004-09-24) 24 September 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Hapoel Petah Tikva |

### Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Charles Kalumba | (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 29) | 6 | 0 | Red Arrows | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Willard Mwanza | (1997-06-03) 3 June 1997 (age 27) | 0 | 0 | Power Dynamos | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Stoppila Sunzu | (1989-06-22) 22 June 1989 (age 35) | 94 | 6 | Changchun Yatai | v. Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024 |
| DF | Dominic Chanda | (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 29) | 30 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors | v. Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024 |
| DF | Zakaria Chilongoshi | (1999-10-27) 27 October 1999 (age 25) | 18 | 0 | Prison Leopards | v. Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024 |
| DF | Killian Kanguluma | (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 1 | Kabwe Warriors | v. Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024 |
| DF | John Chishimba | (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 22) | 6 | 0 | ZESCO United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Mathews Chabala | (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 (age 22) | 7 | 0 | ZESCO United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Brian Chilimina | (1997-06-27) 27 June 1997 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | Red Arrows | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Chitoshi Chinga | (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 (age 26) | 2 | 0 | Nkana | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Owen Mwamba | (1998-07-24) 24 July 1998 (age 26) | 2 | 0 | Mufulira Wanderers | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Mathews Banda | (2005-08-06) 6 August 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Nkana | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Luka Banda | (1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 29) | 14 | 0 | Napsa Stars | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Zephaniah Phiri | (1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 (age 28) | 4 | 0 | Prison Leopards | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Kelvin Kapumbu | (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 28) | 34 | 0 | ZESCO United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Fredrick Mulambia | (2002-07-10) 10 July 2002 (age 22) | 10 | 2 | Power Dynamos | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Abraham Siankombo | (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 27) | 9 | 0 | ZESCO United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Dickson Chapa | (1991-10-24) 24 October 1991 (age 33) | 8 | 0 | Napsa Stars | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Saddam Phiri | (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32) | 6 | 0 | Red Arrows | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Austin Muwowo | (1996-09-26) 26 September 1996 (age 28) | 6 | 1 | Power Dynamos | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | David Simukonda | (2005-08-10) 10 August 2005 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | ZESCO United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Owen Tembo | (1995-05-16) 16 May 1995 (age 29) | 3 | 0 | Power Dynamos | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Emmanuel Banda | (1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 (age 27) | 32 | 0 | Rijeka | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Joshua Mutale | (2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 23) | 11 | 0 | Power Dynamos | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Golden Mafwenta | (2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 24) | 8 | 0 | MFK Vyškov | v. Malawi; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | Ricky Banda | (2001-05-03) 3 May 2001 (age 23) | 8 | 1 | Red Arrows | v. Sierra Leone; 10 September 2024 |
| FW | Albert Kangwanda | (1999-04-07) 7 April 1999 (age 25) | 15 | 5 | Kafue Celtic | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Andrew Phiri | (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 23) | 8 | 0 | MUZA | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Patson Daka | (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26) | 48 | 21 | Leicester City | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
| FW | Gamphani Lungu | (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26) | 17 | 0 | SuperSport United | v. Tanzania; 11 June 2024 |
| Notes $^{DEC}$ Refused to join the team after the call-up. $^{INJ}$ Withdrew due to an injury. $^{PRE}$ Preliminary Squad. $^{RET}$ Retired from international association football. $^{SUS}$ Suspended from the team. |||||||

## Player records

    As of 19 November 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Zambia.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Player | Apps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Kennedy Mweene | 122 | 2 | 2004–2021 |
| 2 | David Chabala | 115 | 0 | 1983–1993 |
| 3 | Godfrey Chitalu | 111 | 79 | 1968–1980 |
| 4 | Joseph Musonda | 108 | 0 | 2002–2014 |
| 5 | Rainford Kalaba | 103 | 15 | 2005–2018 |
| 5 | Christopher Katongo | 103 | 23 | 2003–2016 |
| 7 | Alex Chola | 102 | 43 | 1975–1985 |
| 8 | Elijah Tana | 101 | 4 | 1995–2009 |
| 9 | Derby Makinka | 98 | 10 | 1985–1993 |
| 10 | Stoppila Sunzu | 96 | 6 | 2008–present |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Player | Goals | Apps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Godfrey Chitalu | 79 | 111 | 0.71 | 1968–1980 |
| 2 | Alex Chola | 43 | 102 | 0.42 | 1975–1985 |
| 3 | Kalusha Bwalya | 39 | 87 | 0.45 | 1983–2004 |
| 4 | Bernard Chanda | 29 | 68 | 0.43 | 1971–1980 |
| 5 | Christopher Katongo | 23 | 103 | 0.22 | 2003–2016 |
| 6 | Collins Mbesuma | 22 | 65 | 0.34 | 2003–2017 |
| 7 | Patson Daka | 21 | 48 | 0.44 | 2015–present |
| 7 | Dennis Lota | 21 | 78 | 0.27 | 1994–2002 |
| 9 | Kenneth Malitoli | 19 | 80 | 0.24 | 1988–1999 |
| 10 | James Chamanga | 17 | 63 | 0.27 | 2005–2015 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1930 to 1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 5 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 8 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 11 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/15 | | | | | | | 106 | 48 | 21 | 37 | 159 | 103 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

| Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1957 to 1963 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1965 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1968 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| 1972 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| 1974 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 7 |
| 1976 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6 |
| 1978 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1* | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 1980 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| 1982 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 1984 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1986 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1990 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| 1992 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 |
| 1994 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 1996 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 1998 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| 2002 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| 2006 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 |
| 2008 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| 2012 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
| 2013 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1* | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 12 |
| 2023 | Group stage | 20th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| 2025 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | 1 title | 18/25 | 69 | 27 | 19 | 23 | 83 | 70 | 140 | 77 | 30 | 44 | 236 | 121 |

### COSAFA Cup

| Year | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record | COSAFA Cup record |
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1997 | Winners | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| 1998 | Winners | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 1999 | Semi-finals | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2000 | Quarter-finals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2001 | Semi-finals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2002 | Semi-finals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2003 | Semi-finals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| 2004 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2005 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 2006 | Winners | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| 2007 | Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | Third place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| 2013 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 2015 | Quarter-finals | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | Quarter-finals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
| 2018 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2019 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | Group stage | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2022 | Winners | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| 2023 | Winners | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
| 2024 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 7 titles | | | | | | |

## Honours
### Continental

* Africa Cup of Nations
** Champion (1): 2012
** Runner-up (2): 1974, 1994
** Third place (3): 1982, 1990, 1996
* African Nations Championship
** Third place (1): 2009

### Regional

* COSAFA Cup
** Champion (7): 1997, 1998, 2006, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023
** Runner-up (6): 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2018
** Third place (1): 2008
* CECAFA Cup
** Champion (2): 1984, 1991
** Runner-up (5): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2006
** Third place (5): 1973, 1974, 1981, 1992, 2013

### Awards

* African National Team of the Year: 2012