Sports

Guest Article: A Forgotten Leicester City Trophy From Zambia

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2025

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The Club’s Heritage Collection contains many trophies collected over the years, including this one from a trip to Zambia, which carries a unique story behind it.
It’s the kind of artefact you’d stop to admire in a museum: a copper tankard with a dimpled handle, inscribed with the words ‘Peter Stuyvesant International’. The accompanying label would reveal that this cup, named after a famous cigarette brand, was won by Leicester City in 1968.
But as with most trophies, its significance lies with the story behind it, and in this case, the copper tankard represents an unlikely, but strong, link between an East Midlands football club and an entire footballing nation. It’s a link that was rekindled with the signing of Patson Daka in 2021.
In 1968 the Leicester City squad, led by assistant manager Bert Johnson, toured Zambia in a joint tour with a party of 15 qualified FA coaches.
Football tours were common back in the 20th century, with many clubs venturing overseas for a change of scenery and aiming to help develop the game outside of the United Kingdom. Leicester City, particularly active at the airport in the 1960s, had previously toured Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1961, the Netherlands in 1963, and Singapore in 1967.
Yet, it is this particular tour to Zambia which left a notable legacy, both abroad and at home. Leicester comfortably won all six of the games played (three against the Zambian national side, two versus a Zambian FA XI and another against the English FA Player/Coaches XI), and in the context of the swashbuckling 1960s for the Club, the Zambian trip doesn’t steal the headlines – we’d competed in three FA Cup finals.
The mementos from the trip show its significance in our history, however. Zambia’s then-President, Dr. Kenneth Kuanda, described the visit as ‘probably the greatest occasion in the history of Association Football in Zambia’.
After the squad returned, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the Club’s Chairman, Alf Pallett, thanking him and the team for their insights into the sport, noting that ‘they will help us improve our soccer performances’. It remains the only correspondence the Club has received from a Head of State, and is preserved, safely, in the Club’s archives.
Almost a year later, on the eve of City’s third FA Cup Final in the decade, we received a telegram from Zambia’s Director of Sport wishing the Club well at Wembley with the words ‘Your success will also be ours’. The impact Leicester had on Zambian football, seemingly, lasted well beyond a mere two-week trip.
The article appeared on the Leicester City website and was done by Elsie Flynn

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Sports

Copper Princesses off to Togo

Published

13 hours ago

April 22, 2025

an24afri

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The Zambia U17 Women’s Nationql Team has left for Togo to face Benin in the final round, second leg of the 2025 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Copper Princesses left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 15h15 aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
Zambia holds a 2-1 first leg advantage over Benin heading into the decisive match on April 26 in Lome.
The Copper Princesses will be aiming to secure a historic back to back World Cup qualification while Benin is in search of its first-ever World Cup appearance.
By FAZ Media
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ZPL refers derby, Kabwe Warriors v NAPSA incidents to Disciplinary Committee, FAZ hint on harsh punishment as Nkana offer to replace damaged seats

Published

21 hours ago

April 21, 2025

an24afri

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The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) has referred the two incidents that happened during week 32 of the MTN Super League to the FAZ Disciplinary Committee.
ZPL has urged the clubs to take greater responsibility in managing their players, officials and supporters and enhancing matchday security.
Kabwe Warriors players confronted the first assistant after their goal was ruled out for offside and looked to have gotten physical in their approach in the video that’s circulating online.
Meanwhile, suspected Nkana fans uprooted over 500 seats at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium as chaos erupted after a penalty was awarded to Power Dynamos after a foul on Prince Mumba in the Kitwe derby.
“The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) has taken note of the incidents that occurred during the Week 32 fixtures between NAPSA Stars and Kabwe Warriors at REIZ Arena, and Nkana vs Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
In line with set guidelines the matters shall be referred to the FAZ Disciplinary Committee for due determination of the cases.
We urge all clubs to take greater responsibility in managing their players, officials and supporters and enhancing matchday security. The ZPL remains committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all.
Football should be a family-friendly experience where fans of all ages feel safe and welcome. Acts of violence not only disrupt this atmosphere but also undermine the spirit of the game.”
The Statement went on; Likewise all fans are also urged to respect the game, support their teams peacefully, and report any misconduct to the appropriate authorities.”
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on the other hand has hinted on harsh punishment for the perpetrators of the chaos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium that caused damage to the stadium.
“We sign off on a disturbing note following ugly scenes at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium where some hooligans masquerading as fans ripped off seats in protest of a penalty given to Power Dynamos against Nkana. The match ended 1-1. With the game being the most popular and biggest advert of our league, there could not have been a worse portrayal of our football. We are barely hanging on to one FIFA approved stadium and cannot afford such levels of barbarism. While it is too early to provide a conclusive picture of what measures will be taken, I can definitely confirm that this behaviour will be heavily punished.”
Meanwhile Nkana Football Club whose fans have been figured as the major culprit in Sunday’s chaos has offered to replace the seats damaged during the derby.
“While we may not agree with the referee’s decision, we respect the game and the spirit of sportsmanship. We deeply regret the actions of some individuals that led to the damage of property. As a club, we stand for integrity and respect, and we are committed to making amends,” Club President, Eng. Joseph Silwimba said.
“We would like to offer our sincere apologies to the stadium management and we will take steps to replace the damaged seats.”
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The Junior Chipolopolo jet into Cairo

Published

22 hours ago

April 21, 2025

an24afri

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THE Zambia Under -20 men’s national team has safely landed in Cairo ahead of 2025 TotalEnergies Egypt Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament that swings into action this week.
The team plus officials touched down at the Cairo International Airport at exactly 10:50 hours local time and are expected to have their loosening up this evening.
FAZ has secured an international friendly for the junior Chipolopolo against Ghana, set for 18:00 hours kick off tomorrow.
The friendly will help the technical bench gauge the preparedness of the team ahead of the tournament that swings into action on Thursday.
Zambia has been drawn into Group A, alongside hosts Egypt, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania, in the tournament scheduled from April 27 to May 18.
The Mulwanda tutored side will open their AFCON journey on April 27 against hosts Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium.
Switzerland based Joseph Sabobo Banda leads five other foreign-based players that include Joseph Liteta,Frank Chileshe, Andrew Mulenga), Bonephanseo Phiri and Aaron Mbemba are expected to join the rest of the team before Wednesday.
By FAZ Media
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