[Zambia win 8-7 after extra time and penalty shootout]
ZAMBIA won the African Cup of Nations Sunday, beating pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a nerve-racking final at Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville, Gabon.
It’s Zambia’s first African title and came, poignantly, in the same city where nearly the entire national team was killed in a plane crash in 1993 in the country’s worst sporting disaster.
Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba had missed a 70th-minute penalty for the title favourites to send the dramatic decider to extra time and then a shootout.
After both sides made their first seven penalties, Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure had given Zambia a first chance at victory when his effort was saved. But Kalaba Rainford sent his effort high over the crossbar to give the Ivorians renewed hope.
But Gervinho faltered as well as the Arsenal winger missed the target, and Sunzu made no mistake when it was his turn, drilling his penalty to the right of Boubacar Barry for the title-clinching moment.
He raced toward the team’s fans behind the goal to celebrate a highly emotional victory for the Zambians, who had pledged to return to Libreville and win their first major trophy to honor the 25 people who died in that plane crash nearly two decades ago.
Zambia captain Christopher Katongo hit the post in the opening five minutes of extra time but the underdogs were hanging on at the end, as Max Gradel sent a shot agonizingly wide in the 88th for Ivory Coast.
Emmanuel Mayuka was denied a goal-scoring opportunity for Zambia by Kolo Toure’s desperate tackle with the forward clear on goal in a frenzied finish to the 90 minutes.
In the first half, Zambia’s players appeared determined to entertain the fans at Stade de l’Amitie, trying back-heels and tricks in free-flowing, almost carefree style.
Nathan Sinkala should have had Zambia ahead early as a slick move from a corner opened a chance for him in just the second minute, but his scuffed shot was saved by Boubacar Barry.
Musonda tried to shrug off an early injury in what was meant to be a memorable 100th cap for him, but he couldn’t continue. The veteran defender was in tears as he left the field in the 11th minute and was consoled by teammates and opponent Drogba.
Zambia kept pushing forward, with Emmanuel Mayuka sending a looping header onto the roof of the net in the 14th and Rainford Kalaba’s deflected free kick flying just wide of the right post.
The Ivorians began to find their feet as the half progressed, and Drogba set up Yaya Toure with a classy back-heel. The midfielder pulled his right-footed shot wide by inches from in front of goal with keeper Kennedy Mweene rooted to the spot and beaten.
Zambia coach Herve Renard’s intensity boiled over as he pushed his own defender Davies Nkausu as he shouted instructions to him on the sidelines. Nkausu nodded and agreed with his coach’s forceful directions, patting the intense Frenchman on the shoulder.
Gervinho continued to trouble Zambia down his right wing as the second half began quietly before Katongo suddenly lifted the Zambians — and the crowd — with a weaving run. Ivory Coast’s strong defence held firm after a series of corners.
List of Africa Cup of Nations champions after Zambia defeated Ivory Coast on penalties in the 2012 final at Stade de l’Amitie Sunday:
1957 – Egypt
1959 – Egypt
1962 – Ethiopia
1963 – Ghana
1965 – Ghana
1968 – Zaire
1970 – Sudan
1972 – Congo Brazzaville
1974 – Zaire
1976 – Morocco
1978 – Ghana
1980 – Nigeria
1982 – Ghana
1984 – Cameroon
1986 – Egypt
1988 – Cameroon
1990 – Algeria
1992 – Ivory Coast
1994 – Nigeria
1996 – South Africa
1998 – Egypt
2000 – Cameroon
2002 – Cameroon
2004 – Tunisia
2006 – Egypt
2008 – Egypt
2010 – Egypt
2012 – Zambia
Titles
7 – Egypt
4 – Cameroon, Ghana
2 – Nigeria, Zaire
1 – Algeria, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Zambia
Note: Zaire renamed Democratic Republic of Congo
Leading scorers:
3 – C. Katongo and Mayuka (ZAM), Aubameyang (GAB), Diabate (MLI), Drogba (CIV), Kharja (MAR), Manucho (ANG)
2 – A. Ayew and Mensah (GHA), Bashir and Eltaib (SUD), El Busaifi and Osman (LBA), A.R. Camara and Diallo (GUI), Msakni (TUN)
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