Africa Cup of Nations: Tragedy could galvanise unfancied Zambia

WITH a team packed full of Europe-based talent and on a run of five straight wins without conceding a goal, Ivory Coast are expected to win their second Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon today.

Yet opponents Zambia have a compelling reason to succeed to honour the memory of their players who died in a plane crash 19 years ago. A first major title for two-time losing finalists Zambia in the same city where the 25 players and officials lost their lives nearly two decades back would be hugely poignant.

Ivory Coast’s mean defence and star-studded attack, led by captain Didier Drogba, make them the favourites but the Zambians’ emotionally-charged run has ensured they can’t be ignored. Their return to the site of their country’s worst sporting disaster gives them a motivation that can’t be calculated.

Zambia’s build-up since arriving in Libreville for the decider at Stade de l’Amitie has been centred on the tragic accident off the coast of the Gabonese capital, with players going to pay their respects at the small stretch of beach the ill-fated plane passed over before plunging into the sea. The squad laid flowers, sang songs and prayed in a moving ceremony on the shore that could only boost an already close bond between the players. They know they are not expected to win, but by beating four-time champions Ghana in the semi-finals to make the trip back to Libreville they also proved team rankings sometimes don’t matter.

“It will be a tough game against Ivory Coast. We are not favourites,” Zambia coach Herve Renard said. “We are very far from Ivory Coast like we were very far from Ghana but that does not mean anything. I think they have respect for us and we have a lot of respect for them but we want to beat them.”