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.

India suffer 0-5 defeat against Zambia

India suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat in an international friendly at the hands of visiting Zambia at the Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa this afternoon. For Zambia, Musaknya Bruce Bwala scored a hattrick while Mulilo Jimmy Chisenga and Sitali Joseph Mushumba scored the other goals.

Zambia, who had beaten a Goa XI 4-1 on Saturday, was the better side on the day, but they only scored a goal in the first session with Mulilo Jimmy Chisenga giving the Africans a 15th minute lead, which they took into the break.

If one thought that India could come back into the match and maybe cause an upset, then they were in for a rude shock as Zambia would hit four more past goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. First Sitali Joseph Mushumba would make it two-nil in the 55th minute before Musakanya Bruce Bwalya would score a clean hattrick with goals in the 69th, 73rd and 90th minute.

India had to play Zambia without the strike duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua, both of whom are away for trials with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers. The duo would be rejoining the squad in Delhi on December 1. It gave the other strikers a chance to prove themselves, but they couldn't score on the day.

It wasn't the result with which India would like to go into the SAFF Cup, but a good test to see where the team currently stands. This was India's last friendly ahead of the SAFF Cup which starts on Friday in New Delhi with India playing Afghanistan in their opening match on Saturday afternoon. In two earlier friendlies India had drawn Malaysia 1-1 in Guwahati on November 13, while winning 3-2 in Kolkata on November 16.

India
1-Karanjit Singh; 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 9-Syed Rahim Nabi; 23-Steven Benedic Dias [C] (46' 26-Francis Fernandes), 25-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 7-Baldeep Singh (46' 8-Climax Lawrence), 15-Clifford Miranda; 18-Sushil Kumar Singh (80' 12-Anthony Pereira), 6-Baljit Singh Sahni (46' ??-Joaquim Abranches)

India face Zambia test ahead of SAFF Cup

India play Zambia later today as part of their preparations for the South Asian Football Federation Championships in New Delhi nex month.

Chief Coach Savio Medeira stays aware of the Zambian challenge. "The match is very important for us. This is a great opportunity to gauge where we stand. The Zambian team are ranked higher than us and are an athletic side," Savio said. "It will be a learning experience for the boys ahead of the SAFF Championship."

India go into the game without its two key strikers - Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua - who are currently on trial with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers FC. It will be a test of India's attacking options upfront without the duo as Joaquim Abranches, Baljit Singh Sahni and Sushil Kumar Singh will have a chance to prove their worth,

However, Medeira seemed unfazed by the absence of his strikers. "It's true the duo has brought us laurels in the recent past. But this is a great opportunity for the others to prove themselves," Savio Medeira added.

The defenders Govin Singh and Nirmal Chhetri make a comeback to the National squad for the match.

The boys, nevertheless, stay unperturbed by their higher ranked rivals. They look forward to repeat their performance against Malaysia when India got the better of them in a two-match series. But Zambia showed on Saturday in their 4-1 win against a Goa XI what the African side is capable off.

"If we play as a unit – the manner we played against Malaysia, we should pose a challenge for Zambia," quipped Baljit Sahni. "We hope to bank on the crowd support. We will give our 100 percent," he echoed.

The match is slated for a 15.45 IST kick-off with the match to be live on DD Sports.



INDIA

Goalkeepers
Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Defenders
Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Debabrata Roy (Dempo SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Clifford Rayes Miranda (Dempo SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Baljit Singh Sahni (East Bengal Club), Chongtham Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC)

Officials
Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Mariano Dias(Assistant Coach), Antonio Marcus Pacheco (Goalkeeping Coach), Mandar Tamhane (Manager), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Vishnu Nair (Physio), Pradip Dutta (Fitness Coach), Liaqat Ali (Masseur)

Goa XI face Zambia in friendly

The Goa Select XI go into the match against the Zambian national football team not knowing where the assembled squad stands against the Africans.

Coach Armando Colaco said that it was an honour for him to be the coach of Goa XI for this prestigious event and a golden chance to play a higher ranked opponent. He also mentioned that the mood in the camp was upbeat with the Goan youngsters keen to lock horns with such a strong opponent and showcase their talent.

But Armando was candid enough to say that the match could go anyway. His side could get trashed or cause an upset, but for him Zambia are the favourites for the match to be played at the Nehru Stadium, Margao.

Armando named his likely starting eleven with right-back Valeriano Rebello as the captain and goalkeeper Felix D'Souza as the vice-captain of the team.

The match is slated for a 16.00 IST kick-off with DD Sports showing the match live.


Likely GOA XI

Felix D'Souza; Valeriano Rebello [Captain], Rowilson Rodrigues, Antun Mathew Kovacic, Cresson Antao; Peter Carvalho, Godwin Diogo Franco, Lenny Rodrigues, Denzil Franco; Ranti Martins Soleye, James Moga

Zambia arrive in Goa ahead of friendlies

The Zambian national football team has arrived in Goa ahead of their two matches against Goa XI (November 26) and India (November 29). The Chipolopolo (Chi-Polo-Polo) as the team is nicknamed have come with 20 players and eight officials.

Zambia coach Hervé Renard only finalised his final 20 player squad just before leaving for India as he had to make some last minute changes to his squad which now does contain four players who play abroad.

Hervé Renard wants to use the India trip to access the local players who are at his disposal ahead of the 2012 CAF African Cup of Nations in less then two months.


ZAMBIA

Goalkeepers
Jacob Banda (Zesco United), Kalililo Kakonje (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)

Defenders
Jimmy Chisenga (Red Arrows), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), Lawrence Chungu (Power Dynamos), Nyambe Mulenga (Zesco United), Francis Kasonde (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Hichani Himonde (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Stephen Kabamba (Kabwe Warriors)

Midfielders
Thomas Nyirenda (Konkola Blades), Nathan Sinkala (Green Buffaloes), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Joseph Sitali (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Mudenda (Power Dynamos)

Strikers
Evans Kangwa (Nkana), Reynold Kampamba (Nkana), Luka Lungu (Power Dynamos), Alfred Luputa (Zesco United), Chisamba Lungu (Ural Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia)

Officials
Hervé Renard (Head Coach), Stanley Kaseko (Manager), Gipson Chaloba (Physio)

Zambia prepare for Indian challenge

African nation Zambia will be bringing a team of 20 players based at home including three under-20 youngsters to India for the matches against the Goa XI (November 26) and India (November 29) both at the Nehru Stadium, Margao as part of the Goa Football Associations Golden Jubilee celebrations.

24 players are currently preparing for the India trip with 20 players to be chosen for the final squad. Zambia will be coached by 43 year old Frenchmen Hervé Renard. Renard was reappointed Zambia coach only last month and he will be testing his home-based players in the two matches in Goa to see who could be part of the squad for the 2012 CAF African Cup in January jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabun.

The Africans will be playing without their star players who play in Europe, China and other African nations like top stars Emmanuel Mayuka (Young Boys Bern, Switzerland) and Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht, Netherlands). In a recent friendly on November 15 a full Zambia XI was beaten 2-0 by Nigeria.

For India meanwhile the Zambia test will be good one going into next month's SAFF Cup in New Delhi.

ZAMBIA Probables

Jacob Banda, Kalililo Kakonje, Joshua Titima, Jimmy Chisenga, Daudi Musekwa, Nyambe Mulenga, Hichani Himonde, Dennis Banda, Osward Kalamba, Lawrence Chungu, Stephen Kabamba, Bruce Musakanya, Jonas Sakuwaha, Thomas Nyirenda, Nathan Sinkala, Joseph Sitali, Emmanuel Chimpinde, Kennedy Mudenda, Felix Katongo, Rodrick Kabwe, Evans Kangwa, Luka Lungu, Alfred Luputa, Ronald Kampamba

Officials
Hervé Renard (Head Coach)

Goa FA name squad for Zambia friendly

The Goa Football Association has named its 24 player squad to face the Zambian national team on Saturday, November 26 at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. The team to be coached by Dempo SC's Armando Colaco contains 17 Goans and seven foreign footballers who play in Goa.

The Goan squad will miss several Goans who are in the India squad, which will face Zambia on November 29 at the same Nehru Stadium in Margao.


GOA XI

Goalkeepers
Felix D'Souza (Churchill Brothers SC), Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo SC)

Defenders
Antun Mathew Kovacic (Churchill Brothers SC), Boubacar Keita (Sporting Clube de Goa), Valeriano Rebello (Dempo SC), Rowilson Rodrigues (Dempo SC), Selwyn Fernandes (Dempo SC), Cresson Antao (Dempo SC), Denzil Franco (Churchill Brothers SC)

Midfielders
Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Sporting Clube de Goa), Marcus Peixoto (Dempo SC), Peter Carvalho (Dempo SC), Godwin Diogo Franco (Dempo SC), Gilbert Oliveira (Salgaocar SC), Anthony Barbosa (Salgaocar SC), Mauricio Freeman Peixoto (Sporting Clube de Goa), Jovel Martins (Sporting Clube de Goa), Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers SC)

Forwards
Ranty Martins Soleye (Dempo SC), Henry Antchouet (Churchill Brothers SC), James Moga (Sporting Clube de Goa), Ndubuisi D. Opara (Churchill Brothers SC), Joy Ferrao (Dempo SC), Victorino Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Goa)

Officials
Armando Colaço (Chief Coach), Mathew Costa (Assistant Coach), Pascoal Pereira (Assistant Coach), Lawrence Gomes (Manager), Venkadesh (Physio), Raju (Kit Boy)

India's SAFF Cup probables named

Head Coach Savio Medeira has named his 26 probables for the camp ahead of the friendly against Zambia on November 29 and the SAFF Cup next month. The camp will be held in Goa from November 25 with Team India shifting base to Delhe after the Zambia match.

There aren't any major surprises in the selection with East Bengal Club duo Raju Eknath Gaikwad and Mehtab Hossain missing out due to injury, while Anwar has been omitted. Govin Singh and Nirmal Chetri make a comeback into the senior national team fold.


INDIA

Goalkeepers
Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (East Bengal Club), Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC)

Defenders
Nirmal Chetri (East Bengal Club), Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), Sameer Subash Naik (Dempo SC), Debabrata Roy (Dempo SC), Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Jaspal Singh Parmar (Salgaocar SC)

Midfielders
Steven Benedic Dias (Churchill Brothers SC), Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar SC), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Clifford Rayes Miranda (Dempo SC), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan AC), Anthony Pereira (Dempo SC), Jewel Raja Sheikh (Mohun Bagan AC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers SC), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Salgaocar SC)

Forwards
Joaquim Abranches (Dempo SC), Sunil Chhetri (Mohun Bagan AC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (Pune FC), Baljit Singh Sahni (East Bengal Club), Chongtham Sushil Kumar Singh (United Sikkim FC)

Officials
Savio Medeira (Chief Coach), Antonio Marcus Pacheco (Assistant & Goalkeeping Coach), Mandar Tamhane (Manager), Sandeep Kumar (Doctor), Vishnu Nair (Physio), Pradip Dutta (Fitness Coach), Liaqat Ali (Masseur)

Armando Colaco to coach Goa XI vs Zambia

The Goa Football Association has decided to name Dempo SC coach Armando Colaco as the coach of the Goa XI for the match against the Zambia national football team on November 26 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. This was decided at the GFA organizing committee meeting for the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration football matches held on Friday at Dempo House.

Former India coach Armando Colaco would be assisted by Mathew D'Costa and Pascoal Pereira with Lawrence Gomes named the team manager, Venkatesh as Physio and Raju as kit boy. In total 25 players would be called for the game, 19 Goan footballers and six foreigners playing in the coastal state.

African side Zambia will be guests in Goa at the end of the month. First they play against the Goa XI as part of their Golden Jubilee celebrations, while on November 29 they play against the Indian national team at the same venue; which for India is part of their preparations for the upcoming SAFF Cup.