Zambia African queen

For the first time in its history, Zambia won the African Cup of Nations at the expense of the Ivory Coast (0-0, tab: 8-7), Sunday, in Libreville. Stoppila Sunzu became the hero of Chipolopolo, who stood their ground despite a penalty called against them in the second half. Elephants fail again in the final, as in 2006, after the failures of Kolo Toure and Gervinho. The film of the match

20 years ago, Cote d'Ivoire triumphed on Senegalese soil, while celebrating the expense of Ghana's first - and only to date - Africa Cup of Nations. 19 years ago, Zambia was living a real national tragedy, losing in a plane crash a selection - except for his star player, Kalusha, only then does not change the country. That tragic day of April 1993, the Chipolopolo went to Dakar, in their flight broke off Libreville, capital of Gabon where Zambians played this Sunday night the final third of CAN in their history, after two failures experienced in 1974 and 1994 . Under the watchful eye but wet Kalusha ...

The final, played for the one missing their elders, the other for a country torn by civil conflict which only last year, made hundreds of victims. The first, unexpected at this final stage, in theory had nothing to lose, if not in the speech of their coach, Herve Renard the Savoyard, which contemplated only the wins after victories in its base men over Senegal (2-1 in the first round) or Ghana (1-0 ½), two favorites of the competition. The latter, themselves, had done all the pressure on their broad shoulders Elephants. A ballast weight on the ground fatally ...

Bright and alert as usual since the start of this CAN, Zambians have suffered so much from the comparison. On the contrary. If not this strike Yaya Toure following a nice backheel from Drogba in the box (30th), there have been few opportunities for free Ivorians in the first period. A little more numerous in the second act. Also this shot a bit too Gradel cross in the dying seconds of the game (88th), it is the penalty whistled for a foul and common Chansa Nyambe on Gervinho that could have (had?) Tip the balance in the regulation time. Only captain Drogba then missed the boat, sending his heavy hitting over the top post Mweene (69th).

The extension become inevitable, the Chipolopolo will in turn missed their chance, colliding with shoe Barry and his left post after an action greatly performed by the brothers Katongo (95th). Between the favorite and his brave challenger, he was clearly written that the lot would not choose his camp as a last resort, through the cruel penalty shoot on goal. Drogba, this time, did not tremble, but Gervinho, as just before Kolo Toure, has failed, allowing Sunzu to enter the history of his country and CAN (8-7 final).For the second time in his career, Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast symbol of a golden generation, is content with the bitterness of silver, six years after the disappointment of Cairo against the Pharaohs of Egypt (already on penalties concluded after a final on a goalless draw). Zambians Herve Renard them, have made the most beautiful tributes to his former partners and Kalusha ...