James Phiri (13 February 1968 - 5 January 2001) was a Zambian footballer, and is regarded as one of the best Zambian goalkeepers of his generation. He was the main goalkeeper in the squad for the 1994 and 1996 African Nations Cup tournaments and was voted Zambian Footballer of the Year for two consecutive seasons in 1993 and 1994. Phiri died of cancer in January 2001 in Lusaka.