BolaNews shines the light on some of the biggest events in Zambian football in 2025.
Looking Back at Zambian Football in 2025: The Year in Review
As 2025 comes to a close, it is only fitting to reflect on the year that was for Zambian football. From leadership shifts at the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to group stage qualification at club inter–continental level, here is a little throwback.
Leadership Changes at FAZ
One of the biggest stories of the year was the change in leadership at the Football Association of Zambia. In May, Keith Mweemba was elected FAZ president, taking over from Andrew Kamanga, who had served in the role for nine years.
The councillors’ decision marked a new direction for Zambian football, and Mweemba assumed the mantle with a fresh vision. Seven months into his tenure, fans and stakeholders are keenly observing how the Lusaka lawyer’s leadership will shape the future of the national team and domestic football.
Chipolopolo’s World Cup Qualifying Struggles
2025 was not all rosy for the national team, Chipolopolo. Zambia recorded one of its poorest World Cup qualifying campaigns, finishing their group with just nine points, 15 points behind group leaders Morocco, who secured a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
On the pitch, Zambia only managed two wins, translating to six points out of a possible 24, a record the country will hope never to repeat.
Zambian Clubs on the Continental Stage
Both Power Dynamos and Zesco United achieved a rare feat for Zambian clubs by progressing to the group stages of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively. While victories have so far eluded them, their qualification signals progress for Zambian club football and sets the stage for a promising 2026.
The Departure of Avram Grant
Another headline-grabbing moment was the departure of former national team coach Avram Grant. Despite helping Zambia qualify for consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Grant’s tenure was marred by inconsistent performances and underwhelming results in World Cup qualifiers.
FAZ and Grant mutually agreed to part ways, with Moses Sichone, Grant’s longtime assistant, stepping in as interim coach for the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, where the team has been painfully eliminated.
Youth Football on the Global Stage
A special mention must go to Zambia’s under-17 boys and girls, who represented the nation at their respective FIFA World Cups in 2025. While their performances left room for improvement, exposure to global tournaments at such a young age is invaluable for the development of future stars.
Chipolopolo’s failure at AfCON
The wounds are still fresh; I am too depressed to write about Zambia’s dismal performance at the AfCON, maybe we will do something next week
Merry Christmas and a happy 2026.
READ ALSO: “Referee Was One-Sided,” Bemoans Sichone But Admits Zambia Struggled Against Morocco
