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ZAMBIA AFCON CHAMPIONS, Ivory Coast Mint SILVER
Zambia conjured up a shock when they toppled star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to claim their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title.
With the sides goalless after extra time Zambia’s Stoppila Sunzu converted the magic spot kick after Arsenal striker Gervinho missed for the Elephants.
The result meant misery for hot favourites Ivory Coast, who failed to claim the title despite not conceding a goal throughout the entire competition until Sunday’s shootout.
It also revived memories for Didier Drogba, who missed a penalty in the second half of normal time, and company of their 2006 penalty shoot out final defeat to Egypt in Cairo.
Zambia, motivated by the memory of the 1993 national team wiped out in a plane crash off the Libreville coast, went into the 2012 climax as outsiders.
But they covered themselves with glory, hassling and harrowing their star-studded rivals all the way to the penalty shoot-out, and then holding their nerve to prevail in the dramatic, barely watchable denouement.
Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui fielded the same side that saw off Mali 1-0 in the semi-final.
His Zambian counterpart, Herve Renard, recalled striker Emmanuel Mayuka, after his starring role in getting the decisive goal in the 1-0 last four defeat over Ghana.
He joined captain Christopher Katongo in spearheading the Chipolopolo’s (Copper Bullets) attack.
Russian-based midfielder Chisamba Lungu came in for Francis Kasonde.
A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the 74 people killed in the Port Said stadium slaughter in Egypt.
The game was only seconds old when Zambia almost took a shock lead, with keeper Boubacar Barry doing well to save Nathan Sinkala’s close range shot off Katongo’s quick pass from a Rainford Kalaba corner.
Renard was forced into an unscripted change when defender Joseph Musonda limped off in tears on 11 minutes – Nyambe Mulenga took his place.
A shaky start by Ivory Coast gave Zambia hope of an upset and Kalaba’s 30m freekick wasn’t far away after taking a deflection off Cheik Tiote’s leg.
The Elephants put together their best passage of play approaching the half hour mark, a neat Drogba backheel setting up Yaya Toure only for the Manchester City midfielder’s angled shot to go wide of the far post.
A hugely promising first half from Zambia had the Elephants’ defence, marshalled by Kolo Toure, under more pressure than they would have wanted, with Katongo leading from the front.
Zahoui, ressembling a New York cop with black trenchcoat and baseball cap, walked into the dressing rooms at half-time with a face like thunder.
The second half began with a deathly hush descending on the stadium – the final in desperate need of the kiss of life in the guise of a goal.
And on 72 minutes one should have come after Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty when Issac Chansa and Mulenga barged into Gervinho.
Drogba stepped up but his woeful attempt went soaring into the night sky, even though he appeared to divert blame to the pitch, glaring at the spot.
This was his second miss from the spot after he had a penalty saved in the quarter-final win over Equatorial Guinea, where he went on to score twice.
One minute later Max Gradel’s shot from the box had Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene beaten, but it rolled wide of the far post.
In the 95th minute, substitute Felix Katongo crossed from the right for his brother Christopher with only Barry’s toe diverting the goalbound ball off the near post.
There was high drama once the penalty shoot out got underway, with Kolo Toure missing the Ivorians seventh penalty, but Zambia’s Kalaba also missing his to leave the sides still inseparable.
Then after Gervinho failed in his attempt it was left to Sunzu, the defender who plays his club football in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to give Zambia a historic first title, and consign Ivory Coast to another wretched defeat.
Posted by
kamwendo
February 13, 2012 at 5:30 am
WHAT A GREAT HUNT!!! AN ELEPHANT DOWNED!!!! WATCH OUT FOR THE BULLETS!!! Iiyyeeeeeeee!! Fipolo polo!!!!
MPANDAMANO
February 13, 2012 at 5:44 am
MAMADOU predicted a 4 0 and ba CLEMENT WAS VERY HAPPY.
I TOLD BA CLEMENT THAT KWENA MULICHIPUBA TATA,BUT TODAY I WILL SAY TATA BA CLEMENT IPINGULENI MWEBENA,US WE ARE CHAMPIONS……….ladies,gentlemen,fathers,children,granpas…in life never be intimidated by big names,nothing is imposibe.A MILIPEDE WITH HUNDRENDS OF LEGS SEEM TO BE THE FASTEST CRETURE IN THE WORLD,BUT THE LEGLESS SNACK IS ABLE TO CRAW ON ITS STOMUCH FASTER THE ANYTHING ON THIS PLANET.wachepa ka clement.
MPANDAMANO
February 13, 2012 at 5:47 am
AWE MWANDINI,MWABOMBA BALUMENDO WHAT CAN I SAY
paul chukeh
February 13, 2012 at 5:58 am
Give us a holiday today and a tax free salary for February in honor of Chipolopolo who won the CAN trophy at 00:30 the same time President Sata was declared winner of Presidential elections in 2011
sakas
February 13, 2012 at 6:26 am
guyz,share tht money wth da poor,plz. 4 more blessings
EDUCATED
February 13, 2012 at 6:27 am
CONGRATS TO THE BOYS. Arsene Wenger is disapponted. He thot Ivory C would win because of Gervinho and other stars in Eng. League. BRAVO ZAMBIA
sakas
February 13, 2012 at 6:30 am
paul z rite. We r waitn 4 tht,especialy on salaries,thts wht we r jst remainin wth
snadyson
February 13, 2012 at 6:36 am
Critics will always mould someone that Nigerian on supersport said Zambia was there just to add up the number who are we now ? Champions!!!
mcck
February 13, 2012 at 6:37 am
so so nice wining the africa cup.but y undadogz not favourits we’ve just proved them wrong.go mighty zambia go
CYCLE MATA
February 13, 2012 at 7:03 am
am speechless personally i never considered chipolopolo to reach this far
uncle P
February 13, 2012 at 7:08 am
Pepani olila.Imwe plz where z d braii going 2 be yakulisa elephant,mwebantu.Mamadou,where are u? So nice it is 2 be crowned champions of Africa,more especially that it is happening 4 d very first tym in Z.Mamaaa……. wapya munzi.Imwe nakondwela ine!MIGHTY CHIPOLOPOLO getn deep into d elephant.
Kalok
February 13, 2012 at 7:19 am
So that South African sangoma predicted the truth! Congratulations Zambia!!!
tom maatomola
February 13, 2012 at 7:27 am
guys yu deserve a big welcome yu have made zambia a great hero in africa and to those who were not believing take it now
Luther
February 13, 2012 at 7:29 am
What a wonderful feeling!!From underdogs to champions!!To all those who were calling us underdogs,shame on you.We are now the best team in Africa and we have just pocketed US $2 million,sweet victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikomokile
February 13, 2012 at 7:46 am
Tantalizing stuff….that match! In ‘Goliath’ David indeed saw a huge target not to be missed by his aimed sling shot. It’s not the size, its how well you use it I can here someone say!
Wanu Ngwee
February 13, 2012 at 8:09 am
CONGRATULATIONS CHIPOLOPOLO!!!! Well deserved win and a bit of a football lesson for Ivory Coast too!! Time for skeptics like one Clement and the Ivorian gay man to eat their words. And what a befitting way of honoring our fallen heroes. If you’re a serious Zambian soccer fan you should take this very seriously coz it could be a lifetime experience, remember 54 countries compete for this prize every 24 months!!!
And in this instance, the next competition is only 10 months away.
Doc Menox
February 13, 2012 at 8:11 am
Congratulations to the chipolopolo squad. You performed well thru the tournamnet and getting the cup is putting icing on the cake. from underdogs to champions. Favour is not fair! God has truly favoured us.
Big ben
February 13, 2012 at 8:11 am
can someone please give me MAMADOU’s contact details i want to tell him a peace of my mind!!! that ***** is a SERIOUS FOOOOLL
love
February 13, 2012 at 8:16 am
congrats boys….u mek me proud….
pamushi
February 13, 2012 at 8:17 am
Congratulations Chipolopolo!! its great we are with you here in Tz!!! Keep it up
NJ
February 13, 2012 at 8:20 am
From A cheek to a king..!
EMS
February 13, 2012 at 8:30 am
RENARD you are a good leader, i was so touched when you lifted up JOSEPH MUSONDA to join with other players in celebration, thanks RENARD, KALU,TECH-BENCH,PLAYERS , FAZ and all players for the trophy. supports take care as you celebrate.
Big ben
February 13, 2012 at 8:30 am
Takuli ka PUBLIC HOLIDAY LELO kanshi???????????????? CONGRATS BOYS WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!
Mwansa
February 13, 2012 at 8:38 am
Yes the only thing remaining now is salary harmonization to bring more joy and happiness to most if not all Zambians.
Can we harmonize salaries? YES WE CAN.
Can this speed up the improvement of our economy? OH!
YES,YES IT CAN.
Real economics is not found in school or books.
We need divine economics, like that of the despised Joseph.
MR BWEZANI
February 13, 2012 at 8:40 am
AMADOU SHOULD LEAVE SUPERSPORT AS HE IS NOT A SOCCER ANALYST.HE HAS BEEN CRITISING ZAMBIA ALL THE WAY.SHAME ON HIM.
Berny Burrows
February 13, 2012 at 8:41 am
kwena thes guys ar th best kwati bufi zoona.i thot ba drogba fixed hs leg kansh tata yali ni mwamwenako, twabachapa bambuli, go zambia u ad i ar the bst.cogrants
Wanyafye Tigers: Zambia 8 Ivory Toast 7
February 13, 2012 at 8:41 am
This morning 13m Zambians had Ivory Toast for breakfast. How is that for a peaceful and united nation? Congrats Chipolopolo and congrats to all Zambians. We are a wonderful people. 2 former presidents going to collect the cup on behalf of the incumbent – who else can do that? GOD BLESS US!!!!!!
Uluse
February 13, 2012 at 8:46 am
Nimupondo ndimupondo ndimupondo am on fire, Congratulations Chipolopolo Boys we luv u.
1 ali.j the desire
February 13, 2012 at 8:46 am
congratulations ba zambia mwabombeni,,,,,,,,,,shiiiiii
jeremia m'tonga
February 13, 2012 at 8:47 am
THOMAS MLAMBO TELL MAMADO GAYE TO FEAR ZAMBIA WE BEAT IV COST IN FULL VIEW OF WORLD .HE SAID 4 TO IVCOST AT HAF IT WAS 0 .0 .HE SAID WAIT UNTIL WE CLOBRERD IV COST WHY DIDNT U SHOW HIM THE WAY U DID WITH SAMUEL KUFFOR .I WANTED TO SEE HIS REACTION
Wanyafye Tigers: Zambia 8 Ivory Toast 7
February 13, 2012 at 8:49 am
Zambia, Zambia : This cup was won a long time ago, Why?
1. By our departed dear ones who died there in 1993 – they kept it a secret until we met again
2. By sheer team spirit – no big names just big team spirit – Look at Renard lifting his injured player to join in!!!
3. Mweene’s and Kalaba’s predicting wins before the game with confidence
4. By a nation brought together in spirit and flesh – we had two ex-presidents waiting for the cup while Ivory Toast had their ex in jail – bwaayi!!!!
Peace be with You ALL!
SAMUEL P SYMON
February 13, 2012 at 8:51 am
Guys in Zambia,U cant believe how happy everybody here in MALAWI was happy soon after Sunzu goal,VUVUZELAZ people beating Drums Songs and so many Wild noise of Celebrations cerebrating Zamzias Victory,WE LOVE U CELEBRATE IN STYLE BUT ASK THE ZAMBIA FUTBALL ASSOCIATION TO BRING THA TROPHY TO MALAWI TIZACHIOKEKO KA
kabwe
February 13, 2012 at 8:56 am
thumps up for our boys, it was so nice seeing them in prayer after winning what a blessing, Renard no words keep it up,
zach mwishikulu benstead
February 13, 2012 at 8:56 am
WHAT YOU CONFESS, YOU POSSESS.OUR CONFESSION WAS WINNING THE CUP AND NOT BY OUR STRENGTH BUT GOD`S GRACE. WE THANK GOD FOR IT.HOW EVER I WILL BE QUICK TO SAY THAT THE COMMENTS OF AMOKACHI HAVE MADE HIM LOOK LIKE A FOOL.
choonza godfrey
February 13, 2012 at 8:57 am
chipolopolo iye x3…………..am speechless
Slu
February 13, 2012 at 9:03 am
Congratulations to the Chipolopolo boys making history in African football. Sweet victory indeed, got the trophy where our heroes perished. This is really amazing and may the good Lord bless mother Zambia and may he unite us for a common cause!
JK
February 13, 2012 at 9:04 am
We have to lean something from this,Never Give Up in Life.Your time will come one day.God’s time is the best. Thanks boys
mwana musankwe
February 13, 2012 at 9:10 am
its sweet to be zambian what a victory
Ayatollah
February 13, 2012 at 9:11 am
Zimbabwean women in Zambia, I appeal to you, please no manjimela yaka baba tonight!
DWEPO
February 13, 2012 at 9:14 am
mamadu Gaye, i need your contact, have you seen how foolish you are, you devil learn to appreciate and thanks were its due. chikala mamadu
atishani apo
February 13, 2012 at 9:16 am
iye chipolopolo, iye, chipolopolo, atishani apo. u guys u make us proud just from the start u beating senegal, ghana and libya, sudan too was not an easy task, but remember with GOD all things are possible. woe unto mamadou who was negative abt zambia all the way. happiest candidate so far.
shadykopas
February 13, 2012 at 9:21 am
An elephant can run for a long time from a copper bullet, but for how long? Ask I.V.Coast! Eventually the chipolopolo will hit the elephant.
“Yes Zambians, Malawians, Zimbabweans,Twanas,Congoleses,Angolans,Mozambiqueans,Namibians,Swaziland,Brazil,South Africans etc” this is your present too.
Ba Zambia eyi! Chipolopolo eyi ba Zambia chipolopolo!
mwana musankwe
February 13, 2012 at 9:23 am
now that we have won, can FAZ or who ever is responsible make the burial site for our fallen heroes more dignified, build an interpretation centre or something to bring the site to life. if u are not sure of what to do go to the heroes acre in harare and see wht they did to their politicians plizzzzzz!
Natasha
February 13, 2012 at 9:25 am
CONGRATULATIONS guys..am so proud to be zambian!
webby nama
February 13, 2012 at 9:26 am
The under dogs are now the ivory coast.Tufiwele,,,,
WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TWAMICHENJESHA.
JEJE
February 13, 2012 at 9:31 am
God is never sleep,finally we celebrete to day,after stragolling for 16yrs.
zoro4thepipo
February 13, 2012 at 9:34 am
Where is Barca 10, ulikwi kanshi iwe mambala??? Hahahaha, ati after missing that penalty, Drogba said “its not me, its your tv” huhahahahah. Mamadou, where are you??? Shame on u
the activist
February 13, 2012 at 9:37 am
ala chi amakochi na gaye!!!! in your face
shadrick mutale
February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am
Wow wow wow….its so nice to witness that first ever victory.Thanks and congrats copper bullets we are proud of you.Atleast the 1993 tragedy pain is relieved now.Thanks once again.
Dr
February 13, 2012 at 9:48 am
Yes yes. We are champions of Africa. I must start by apologizing to Renard becoz i am one of those who did not approve his coming back.Kalu knew what he was doing. From grass to grace. It is God’s favour. I love u God. I love u Zambia. Thank you for making us happy