Zambia lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after beating the Ivory Coast 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout in Sunday’s final in Libreville.
Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba missed a penalty in the second half of regulation play as the match ended scoreless after extra time.
Both teams were successful with their first seven penalties of the shootout, including Drogba, until Manchester City defender Kolo Toure saw his effort saved by Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.
Rainford Kalaba then missed the chance to clinch the game for Zambia when he shot over.
With the tension almost unbearable, Arsenal forward Gervinho blazed his penalty wide, and this time Zambia’s Stoppila Sunzu made no mistake to give his side an emotional victory.
It was a fairytale triumph for Zambia, who returned to Gabon 19 years after the plane crash which claimed the lives of the team’s coach and 18 members of their squad.
Source: CNN
