Zambia crowned African champs
February 12, 2012
Zambia has lifted the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Ivory Coast in a marathon penalty shootout that nearly exhausted the starting XIs of both teams.
The scores had finished 0-0 after 120 minutes of play, with neither team putting in a particularly spectacular performance. The match was played in rainy conditions with few clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Zambia had warmed into the match much quicker than their star-studded opponents and were the more enterprising of the two teams. The minnows displayed poor discipline at times, however, allowing Ivory Coast a measure of breathing space in the first half and into the second.
Zambia captain Christopher Katongo, who plays his club football with Henan Construction in the Chinese Super League, was electric down the right flank, regularly beating his defender. For the Ivorians, captain Didier Drogba had an off game whilst star countrymen Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure were also quiet.
Drogba had been given a chance to put his country one goal up in the 69th minute when Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty after Arsenal striker Gervinho was pushed whilst charging into the box. But Drogba blasted the resultant spot kick high over the bar after miscueing.
Underdogs Zambia had firmed as many spectators' second team in the tournament as they went on an emotional and unexpected run to the final. The team's return to Libreville, Gabon, came nearly 19 years after a tragic plane crash which killed 25 people, including the majority of the Zambian national football team, in waters off the Gabonaise capital.
It is the country's first continental trophy after a quarterfinal finish in the 2010 edition of the tourney.
Author: Darren Mara
Editor: Richard Connor