The Chipolopolo Boys made headlines for the wrong reasons at the 2024 COSAFA Cup, exiting the tournament at the group stage with zero points. Zambia suffered three consecutive losses to Group B opponents Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the Comoros Islands, respectively.
Despite Red Arrows FC coach Chisi Mbewe assembling what he believed was the best squad from the Zambian Super League, the Copper Bullets were quite dreadful. Their attempt to win three COSAFA Cup titles in succession ended in an embarrassing group exit.
BolaNews reveals five records set by the team at the regional showpiece.
1. First-ever COSAFA Cup tournament without a win (including penalty-shootout wins)
This was the first time in the competition’s history that Zambia finished a tournament without a single win. Arch-rivals Zimbabwe equaled Zambia’s record for the most wins in COSAFA Cup history (36), after notching a 2-0 victory over the Copper Bullets during this year’s edition.
2. First COSAFA Cup tournament without scoring a single goal.
Zambia failed to add to the century of goals they have amassed in the COSAFA Cup since its inception in 1997. Despite boasting a plethora of attacking talent in their squad, the Copper Bullets failed to score a tournament goal for the first time in the competition’s history.
3. Worst title defence in COSAFA Cup history.
Before the tournament, Zambia was poised to become the first team to win three consecutive COSAFA Cup titles. However, the record seven-time winners finished at the bottom of their group.
4. Longest losing streak: 3-in-a-row.
Never before had Zambia lost three COSAFA Cup matches in a row until the 2024 edition. Zambia suffered a 2-0 defeat to invitees Kenya before enduring a 2-0 loss to bitter rivals Zimbabwe and falling 1-0 to the Comoros Islands.
5. First-ever defeat to the Comoros Islands.
The Chipolopolo Boys lost to the Comoros Islands for the first time in history. They went five matches unbeaten against the Coelacanths, winning four times. However, the islanders finally got the better of the Copper Bullets by condemning them to a 1-0 defeat in their final group match.
