Military Derby
| Other names | Army–Air Force–ZNS Derby |
|---|---|
| Sport | Football |
| Type | Professional |
| Location | Lusaka, Choma (Zambia) |
| Teams | Green Buffaloes Red Arrows Green Eagles |
| First meeting | 1973 |
| Latest meeting | 2025 |
| Next meeting | 2025 |
| Broadcasters | SuperSport, ZNBC |
| Stadiums | Independence Stadium, Lusaka (Green Buffaloes)
Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka (Red Arrows) Choma Independence Stadium, Choma (Green Eagles) |
| Meetings total | Hundreds (since 1970s) |
| Most wins | Green Buffaloes (historically) |
| Largest victory | Red Arrows 4–1 Green Buffaloes (2023) |
| Smallest victory | 1–0 (multiple matches) |
| Largest goal scoring | Red Arrows 4–1 Green Buffaloes (2023) |
| Longest win streak | Green Buffaloes (unbeaten, 1973–76) |
| Longest unbeaten streak | Green Buffaloes (1973–76) |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 400: Malformed coordinates value. | |
The Military Derby is the term used for football matches between Zambia's three defence-sponsored clubs – Green Buffaloes F.C., Red Arrows F.C., and Green Eagles F.C. – in the Super League and domestic cup competitions. These clubs are directly supported by the Zambia Army (Buffaloes), the Zambia Air Force (Arrows), and the Zambia National Service (Eagles). Matches between any two of these teams are commonly called "military derbies," driven by institutional pride and a long-standing rivalry.
Background
Institutional Affiliations
- Green Buffaloes F.C. – Zambia Army (founded as Zambia Army FC, 1965; Lusaka)
- Red Arrows F.C. – Zambia Air Force (founded as ZAF FC, 1972; Lusaka)
- Green Eagles F.C. – Zambia National Service (established in 1997; Choma)
Each club represents a branch of the Zambian Defence Force, and their rivalry is rooted in service tradition, competition, and pursuit of football honours.
History
Early Years and Buffaloes–Arrows Rivalry
- Main:Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows
The origins of the military derby go back to the early 1970s, following Zambia's independence, when Green Buffaloes (then Zambia Army FC) were an established force and Red Arrows (ZAF FC) entered the top tier. Buffaloes dominated early years, including a domestic treble in 1975 and six league titles by 1981. Red Arrows were competitive in cup competitions but did not win a league title until 2004.
Emergence of Green Eagles
- Main:Green Eagles
Green Eagles, backed by the Zambia National Service, spent years in the lower divisions before gaining top-flight promotion in 2008. After initial relegation, they returned and established themselves in the Super League from the 2010s onward. Eagles’ rise included a second-place finish in 2019 and appearances in continental competitions.
Clubs and Institutional Background
Green Buffaloes (Zambia Army)
Founded in 1965 as Zambia Army FC and renamed in 1971, Green Buffaloes are among Zambia's most decorated clubs. Their peak was in the 1970s and 80s, collecting six league titles and numerous cups. The club's Army backing provided stability, and many players served as Army personnel. Buffaloes’ golden generation included Jani Simulambo, Dick Chama, and Milton Muke. The team’s home is Independence Stadium (Lusaka). Their most recent major trophy is the 2015 Barclays Cup. Notable alumni include national team captain Christopher Katongo.
Red Arrows (Zambia Air Force)
Red Arrows were established in 1972 as ZAF Lusaka FC and are sponsored by the Zambia Air Force. Based at Nkoloma Stadium in Chelstone, Lusaka, the Airmen won their maiden league title in 2004 and have since become consistent contenders, with league triumphs in 2022 and 2023–24 and several cups. Veteran striker James Chamanga and young forward Ricky Banda are notable players. The club emphasizes discipline and athleticism, mirroring Air Force values.
Green Eagles (Zambia National Service)
Green Eagles, affiliated with the Zambia National Service, are the youngest of the trio. Based at Choma Independence Stadium in Choma, Eagles have become Super League mainstays since the mid-2010s. They finished second in the league in 2019 and have appeared in continental competitions. Their “Tonka Tweende” fighting spirit reflects ZNS culture. Key figures include coach Aggrey Chiyangi, midfielder Spencer Sautu, and goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange.
Honours Comparison
| Club | League Titles (Years) |
|---|---|
| Green Buffaloes (Army) | 6 (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981) |
| Red Arrows (Air Force) | 3 (2004, 2021–22, 2023–24) |
| Green Eagles (ZNS) | 0 (Best: 2nd place, 2019) |
League
- (Sample head-to-head results for Military Derby matches since 2018)*
| Season | Date | Venue | Fixture | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 12 April 2025 | Independence Stadium | Green Buffaloes vs Red Arrows | 2–1 |
| 2024–25 | 3 March 2025 | Choma Independence Stadium | Green Eagles vs Green Buffaloes | 1–1 |
| 2024–25 | 19 January 2025 | Nkoloma Stadium | Red Arrows vs Green Eagles | 2–0 |
| 2023–24 | 21 October 2024 | Choma Independence Stadium | Green Eagles vs Red Arrows | 2–2 |
| 2023–24 | 10 September 2024 | Independence Stadium | Green Buffaloes vs Green Eagles | 1–1 |
| 2023–24 | 7 August 2024 | Nkoloma Stadium | Red Arrows vs Green Buffaloes | 1–0 |
| 2022–23 | 15 February 2023 | Choma Independence Stadium | Green Eagles vs Red Arrows | 0–1 |
| 2022–23 | 30 November 2022 | Independence Stadium | Green Buffaloes vs Red Arrows | 0–0 |
| 2022–23 | 25 October 2022 | Nkoloma Stadium | Red Arrows vs Green Buffaloes | 2–2 |
| 2021–22 | 17 April 2022 | Independence Stadium | Green Buffaloes vs Green Eagles | 3–1 |
Origins and Evolution of the Rivalry
The rivalry’s intensity comes from inter-service competition and historic encounters. Buffaloes and Arrows formed the classic derby of the 1970s–1990s. Green Eagles’ rise in the 2010s converted the rivalry into a three-way contest. All three clubs are now regular league and cup contenders. Fixtures are often marketed as "THE MILITARY DERBY" in Zambian football media.
Notable Matches
- 1974 Independence Cup Quarterfinal: Green Buffaloes 3–1 Red Arrows.
- 1982 Challenge Cup Final: Red Arrows 4–2 Green Buffaloes.
- December 2019: Green Eagles 1–0 Green Buffaloes.
- October 2022: Red Arrows 1–0 Green Buffaloes.
- November 2023: Red Arrows 4–1 Green Buffaloes.
- October 2023: Green Buffaloes 2–0 Green Eagles.
- April 2025 ABSA Cup Quarterfinal: Red Arrows 3–1 Green Eagles.
Head-to-Head Record
| Fixture | Wins (last 15–22 matches) | Draws | Notable Trends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Buffaloes vs Red Arrows | Buffaloes: 1, Arrows: 8 | 6 | Arrows dominant recently |
| Green Buffaloes vs Green Eagles | Buffaloes: 9, Eagles: 7 | 6 | Relatively balanced |
| Red Arrows vs Green Eagles | Arrows: 7, Eagles: 4 | 7 | Arrows usually prevail |
Key Players and Coaches
Green Buffaloes: Jani Simulambo, Dick Chama, Milton Muke, Christopher Katongo, coaches Brightwell Banda and Patrick Phiri.
Red Arrows: Patrick Phiri, James Chamanga, Ricky Banda, coaches Keegan Mumba and Chisi Mbewe.
Green Eagles: Spencer Sautu, Sebastian Mwange, Tapson Kaseba, coaches Aggrey Chiyangi, Perry Mutapa, Kebby Hachipuka.
Cultural Significance and Institutional Support
The military derby is a key event for the Zambia Defence Force, with senior officers attending in uniform and teams serving as the sporting face of their respective branches. Players are often Army, Air Force, or ZNS employees, and clubs offer job security and military benefits. Support comes from both military and civilian fans, especially in Lusaka and Choma. Institutional backing ensures resources for team operations and development, and the clubs are a source of pride for the services.
Off-Field Incidents
- Club relocation and merger (Green Eagles, 2008–2012): Eagles’ temporary move to Kabwe led to the creation and later re-merger of Choma Eagles.
- Coaching redeployments: Military-style staff changes are common, with coaches and players reassigned as part of service obligations.
- Fan incidents: Notable crowd trouble involving Green Buffaloes fans in 2021–22 led to FAZ fines.
- Inter-service cooperation: Defence Force teams have joined for national events and community campaigns.
See also
- Green Buffaloes F.C.
- Red Arrows F.C.
- Green Eagles F.C.
- Zambia Super League
- Zambian football rivalries
