Zambia's president tells squad after shock win: "Go for it"

Feb 9, 2012, 14:20 GMT

Johannesburg - Zambia's class of 2012 can end the nation's pain over losing almost an entire national team in a plane crash 19 years ago when it plays the Africa Cup of Nations final in Libreville, the nation's president Michael Sata said on Thursday.

Zambia upset Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals on Wednesday and will play its third final of the continental shocase against Ivory Coast in the Gabonese capital. Zambia last played in the 1994 decider.

'The nation believes in your collective ability and shares your desires and aspirations. Go for it,' Sata said in a statement.

Back in 1993, virtually the entire Zambian national team perished when a plane carrying them to a World Cup match crashed into the sea 500 metres offshore from Libreville, killing all on board.

'As you go into the final, I urge you to fight for the nation in getting rid of the pain of losing your gallant colleagues who perished off the coast of Gabon in 1993. Continue with your hard work, dedication and determination to the job at hand,' Mata said.

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