Andrew James Phiri (born 21 May 2001) is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a forward for FC MUZA and the Zambia national football team.
Club career Phiri rose to prominence during the 2021–22 Zambian Division One season, scoring 16 goals for FC MUZA. He was the league’s *Newcomers Top Goalscorer* and also received the club’s *Player of the Year* award sponsored by Byta FM. Official statistics recorded 16 goals and 13 assists, with ten goals scored with his right foot, three with his left, and three headers. He finished one goal behind top scorer Christian Saile of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping MUZA earn promotion to the top flight
In the 2022–23 MTN Super League, Phiri scored 14 goals, finishing as MUZA’s second-highest scorer behind Andy Boyeli. His performances helped the club secure second place and qualify for the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup.FC Muza up to second in MTN Super League, SuperSportZambia – Super League 2023, RSSSF
He also featured in the 2023 ABSA Cup final, having scored a penalty in the quarter-finals, before MUZA lost 2–0 to Forest Rangers. At the MTN Super League awards, he was named *Young Player of the Year*.Young Player Award motivates Andrew Phiri, BolaNewsZambian FA announcement, Facebook
His performances attracted interest from foreign clubs, including Azam FC of Tanzania and TP Mazembe of the DR Congo.Tanzanian club pushing to sign Andrew Phiri, Added Time Exclusive
International career Phiri represented the Zambia U23s in the qualifiers for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. Initially omitted from the provisional list, he was later added to the final 18-man squad.Mashata, Mutale, and Mukeya lead Mutapa’s 28-member squad, ZambianFootballZambia U23 off to Monrovia, ZambianFootball Zambia were eliminated by Egypt U23 in March 2023.U23 back home from Egypt, ZambianFootball
He received his first senior call-up in May 2023 for the AFCON 2024 qualifier against Ivory Coast, though he did not play. He later made his senior debut in the 2023 COSAFA Cup against Seychelles, coming on as a substitute in the 68th minute and receiving a yellow card in the 87th minute.Andrew Phiri leads Chipolopolo COSAFA squad as Sichone names 23 Bullets, ZambianFootball
Honours FC MUZA Zambian Division One: runners-up (promotion) 2021–22 MTN Super League: runners-up 2022–23 ABSA Cup: runners-up 2023
Individual Zambia Division One Newcomers Top Goalscorer: 2021–22. FC MUZA Player of the Year: 2021–22. Zambian Super League Young Player of the Year: 2023Young Player Award motivates Andrew Phiri, BolaNews Zambia Super League joint second top scorer: 2023–24 (11 goals)Zambia – Super League 2023, RSSSF
References