By Andrew Macdonell in South Africa
When Zambia’s footballers line up for their national anthem before Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final, they may be forgiven if their minds are elsewhere. The game will be staged in Gabon’s capital, Libreville, only a few kilometres from the spot where a previous talented generation of Zambian footballers met their untimely deaths.
On 27 April 1993, an ageing Zambian Air Force Buffalo military transport plane took off from Leon M'ba airport in Libreville bound for Senegal. On board was the bulk of a Zambian football team that was on the brink of qualifying for both the 1994 World Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
Two minutes after takeoff from Gabon, the plane reportedly exploded and plunged into the Atlantic. As it was a military aircraft, there was no black box flight recorder, so the cause of the crash has never been confirmed. The official report pointed to a failure in the left engine, but its inconclusive nature has left fertile ground for all manner of conspiracy theories. What is undeniable, however, is that one of the most promising teams that Zambia has ever produced was wiped out in an instant.
Most of the current Zambian team that will face the “Mighty Elephants” of Côte d’Ivoire in the final were not yet at school when this tragedy happened. Nonetheless, they will be only too aware of the significance of the occasion.
Zambia have never won the African Cup of Nations despite having twice made the final. In 1974, they forced the final into a reply before eventually coming second to Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Zambia’s most memorable campaign, however, took place in 1994, mere months after the Gabon tragedy. A team hastily rebuilt by the late former Aberdeen manager, Ian Porterfield, made it all the way to the final before eventually losing 2–1 to Nigeria.
Today’s “Chipolopolo” (or Copper Bullets), as they are affectionately known, have big shoes to fill. However, in making their country's third final, the young Zambians have exceeded all expectations. They topped a group that included Senegal (one of the pre-tournament favourites), Libya and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea. In the quarter-final, they dispatched Sudan 3–0 before, most impressively, edging out the “Black Stars” of Ghana 1–0 in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Zambia have no "big name" players, but do have a host of young, energetic and skilful (if slightly built) players. Under their astute coach, Hervé Renard, they have found the happy knack of converting half-chances – and, crucially, they play for each other as a true team. They are also blessed with one of the tournament’s best goalkeepers in Kennedy Mweene. His numerous saves, including a penalty from Asamoah Gyan, proved to be the main difference between the Zambians and the Ghanaians in the semi-final.
Zambia’s opponents in the final, Côte d’Ivoire, could not be more different. A muscular side from West Africa, the Ivorian team is packed with stars from the English Premiership and the top European leagues. With Didier Drogba, Saloman Kalou, Gervinho and the Touré brothers, it is a team that on paper would worry most opponents.
Côte d’Ivoire have had a relatively smooth ride and have reached the final without conceding a goal. The general feeling is that they have played within themselves. However, in Gervinho’s wonderful solo goal in the semi-final against Mali, they have produced a strong contender for goal of the tournament.
Overall, this year’s African Cup of Nations has been an enjoyable, if more low-key affair than normal. The failure of Africa’s traditional powers of Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and South Africa to qualify has undoubtedly hurt the tournament. Dividing the hosting rights between the two relatively small countries of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea has also diluted the focus and energy.
Both hosts made it to the quarter-finals, but their elimination at that stage has inevitably diminished local interest. Nonetheless, there have been many good games and a number of truly spectacular goals.
As the tournament draws to a close, it is hoped that Sunday’s final lives up to expectations. Win or lose, both Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia would make worthy African champions. Côte d’Ivoire’s golden generation would finally win the trophy that their talent deserves, while a Zambian victory would surely allow the country to finally move on from the tragedy of 1993.
I need to confess, however, that I am not an unbiased reporter. I have a deep affection for Zambia and its people, having lived there for a few years in the early 1990s. I therefore make no apologies for the fact that I will be firmly rooting for the "Chipolopolo" on Sunday.
I can still vividly recall the sense of national shock and grief when the national team died. For all Zambians, it was their 9/11 moment when time stands still.
However, for me, my abiding memory of the tragedy took place two months earlier. On 27 February 1993, I was at Lusaka’s Independence Stadium as Zambia comfortably beat Madagascar 3–1 in a World Cup qualifier. Zambia evidently played very well that day, although my view of the game was somewhat impeded by a large lady in front of me.
She spent the whole game jumping up and down and singing at the top of her voice. At half-time, she turned round to apologise for her behaviour, explaining that her son was in the team and that it was the first time she had seen him play for Zambia.
She was so proud and happy that it no longer seemed to matter to me when I also missed most of the second half.
To this day I will never forget that lady – especially when I realise that, exactly two months later, her son was on board that fateful flight from Libreville.
Want to discuss other issues? Join the debate on our new Scottish Voices forum
No related posts.