Zambia dedicates Africa Cup of Nations win to crash dead
In 1993, Zambia lost its soccer team due to a plane crash; 30 lives were gone, in which 18 were part of the Zambia soccer team. With this win, coach Herve Renard made sure that the whole African continent remembers them by dedicating his side's Africa Cup of Nations win to the victims of the plane crash.
The Chipolopolo beat Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in Libreville, Gabon, securing the trophy for the very first time.
“I know we're not the best but we have a strength and force that animated our team,” says Herve Renard.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Bwalya, praised the French coach for his work and focused immediately on the upcoming Nations Cup 2013 and World Cup 2014 qualifiers.
The winning penalty kick was converted by Stoppila Sunzu, after Gervinhon (an Arsenal Striker player) missed his shot for the Elephants, following a 0-0 match full of intensity. Ivory Coast misses out on their second title, despite not conceding a goal from open play in the entire competition. We can say Zambia was lucky; but as the old say reminds us: Luck is just preparation meeting opportunity. They do deserve the win and surely we will hear more about this team on the upcoming African soccer competitions.
Could it be that Ivory Coast underestimated his opponent? No one will no for sure. One thing that we know for sure is Zambia achieved something enormous - something that appeared unrealistic before the competition began, and we congratulate the team and the country.
