The 2024 COSAFA Cup will kick off on June 26, with the final set for July 7. Defending champions Zambia are in Group B alongside Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Comoros.
The Chipolopolo Boys will open their campaign against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on July 27, 2024.
Zambia has always been considered a favourite to win the regional showpiece, but a triumph in this year’s competition will write a new history page for the nation and the tournament.
Bola News takes a look at some of Zambia’s records in the COSAFA Cup:
Most Finals
Zambia is currently the most successful team in the COSAFA Cup, having won the tournament on seven occasions. The Chipolopolo’s latest triumph was at the 2023 edition after beating Lesotho 1-0 in the final.
Additionally, the Chipolopolo played in 13 finals, the most by any nation in the tournament, while they have reached an outstanding 18 semifinals.
Longest unbeaten streak
Zambia holds the longest unbeaten run in the COSAFA Cup since its inception in 1997. The Chipolopolo Boys went 11 matches unbeaten before they were heartbroken by Angola in 1999.
Most Matches Played
Zambia has featured in every COSAFA Cup since it was launched in 1997 and holds the record for the most wins (36) in the regional showpiece. In total, Zambia has played 70 matches, the most ever played by a single nation.
Repeated successful campaigns
The Chipolopolo Boys became the first nation to repeat back-to-back successes after winning the first two editions in 1997 and 1998. However, the record was matched by South Africa (2007 and 2008) and Zimbabwe (2017 and 2018). Can Zambia become the first nation to win it three times in a row?
Own goals
Zambia has only conceded on goal at the regional extravaganza. The first came during the 2023 COSAFA Cup, when defender Aaron Katebe turned the ball into his own net against Malawi on July 6 at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
Top Scorer
Striker Justin Shonga is Zambia’s all-time leading goal scorer in the COSAFA Cup, with six goals. Shonga took over as Chipolopolo’s leading scorer from Collins Mbesuma at the 2021 tournament when he netted three goals, though the team faced an early exit under Milutin Sredojevic.
The former Nkwazi scored three times in the 2017 tournament, as Zambia were beaten in the final by Zimbabwe.
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