2012 African Cup of Nations: Zambia complete Fairytale!

The national football team of Zambia caused a major upset by beating favourites Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 8-7 on penalties to win the final of the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Libreville, Gabon. It was a thrilling game in which Chelsea FC star Didier Drogba missed a penalty and Ivory Coast once more did not fulfil the promise of winning a major title as their golden generation is getting older and older.

But it wasn't just about football last night in Libreville then 19 years ago a plane carrying the then national team of Zambia crashed of the coast of Gabon on the way to a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Senegal. 18 players were killed on that flight along with support staff and the new African champions dedicated this win to those players killed. It was a fairytale which had a positive ending for the Zambians, who lifted their first-ever African Cup of Nations title.

Unexpectedly it was an open game between the two sides with many expecting a one-sided game just like the Zambia vs Ghana semifinal, but Zambia's shrewd coach Henry Renard made his side play more of an attacking game against an Ivory Coast who at times looked surprised as they sat back and absorbed the pressure while hoping for mistakes which rarely came their way.

But in the second session it seemed things would be sorted as Ivory Coast got a penalty. But Didier Drogba just like against Equatorial Guinea in the quarterfinals missed the penalty, which would have most likely given his side the title.

After 120 minutes of goalless football it was down to penalties. The first seven penalties from both sides all went in. Then Manchester City defender Kolo Touré walked-up, but his shot was saved by Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene before Rainford Kalaba had the chance to be Zambia's hero of the night, but he blasted over. Then it was the turn of Arsenal FC striker Gervinho, but he also blasted over. The tension was getting to the players, but Stopila Sunzu would go on to score and start the celebrations in the Zambian camp.

It was a historic night in Libreville.