Zambia win first Africa Cup of Nations title

By Peter Auf der Heyde Feb 12, 2012, 22:43 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Zambia on Sunday won their first Africa Cup of Nations title when they beat favourites Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out after the game in Libreville had remained goalless at the end of extra-time.

Stoppila Sunzu scored the winning goal for Zambia after goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene saved Kolo Toure's spot-kick and Gervinho blasted over. Rainford Kalaba missed for the Zambians.

Wild scenes of celebration followed as Zambian captain Christopher Katongo received the trophy from the presidents of the co-hosting countries, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon's Ali Bongo Ondimba.

The victory was made particularly special because it was in Libreville, which 19 years earlier was the scene of their biggest footballing tragedy, when a plane carrying the Zambian national team crashed into the sea after refueling there en route to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier.

All 30 people on board perished, including 18 team members.

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba could have given his side victory in the 70th minute, but missed his penalty as he side-footed it over the bar.

A host of dignitaries, including FIFA president Joseph Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini and football legend Pele, as well as Zambian President Michael Sata and his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouattara were in the Stade de l'Amitie.

The team from southern Africa began with a surprising amount of confidence, and Ivorian goalkeeper Boubacar Barry was forced to save as early as the second minute from Nathan Sinkala, following a corner.

Zambian coach Herve Renard was forced into an early substitution as Joseph Musonda injured himself and had to be replaced. The 34-year-old defender was sobbing as he was led off the field and even Drogba came over to console him.

Against the run of play Ivory Coast nearly took the lead in the 29th minute, when a cheeky back-heel from Drogba found African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure, but his shot went just wide.

Far from forcing the Zambians to take a more cautious approach, they had most of the near capacity crowd in the Stade de l'Amitie on their side as they were not afraid to run at their opponents.

They were also guilty of showboating, which brought them a lot of appreciation from the 40,000 crowd, but very little else. Renard seemed to get frustrated with his own players at one stage as he was seen to push Davies Nkausu as he came close to the substitute bench.

Zambia started the second half in a much more controlled fashion, allowing the Ivorians to stamp their authority onto the game, with Drogba taking on the defence time and again.

Zambia were nearly made to rue their missed chances in the 68th minute as Isaac Chansa and Nyamba Mulenga brought down Gervinho in the box and referee Diatta Badara pointed to the spot, which Drogba, who already missed a penalty against Equatorial Guinea, side-footed over the cross-bar.

Ivorian substitute Max Gradel nearly won the game for the Elephants three minutes from the end when he went around his marker, but was pushed too wide and just narrowly shot past the upright.

In extra time the Zambians had the first chance as Barry just managed to deflect a shot from Christopher Katongo against the post after the captain had been set up by his younger brother Felix.

But as both side failed to score, the match had to be decided on penalties.

The Ivorians are the first team not to win the competition even though they did not concede a single goal. They also lost the 2006 final against Egypt on penalties.