For the first time in their history, Zambia are champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating the Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties after the teams failed to score a goal, finishing regulation and extra time at 0-0. Gervinho missed the decisive penalty for the Ivory Coast, and defender Stophira Sunzu scored the winning spot kick.
It was a heartbreaking end for Ivorian skipper Didier Drogba, who missed a spot-kick in normal time.
And it means the wait goes on for an Ivory Coast team replete with many Premier League and European stars, with the country losing the 2006 final to Egypt in the same way and last winning the tournament 20 years ago.
But for the Chipolopolo, who have already been runners-up twice, it concluded a tournament where they were inspired by the loss of the 1993 Zambian team after a plane crash close to the venue of the final in Libreville.
The last time the southern African country reached the final in 1994, it was just a year after 18 Zambian teams members died as they took off from the Gabonese capital.
En route to the final, the current team had spoken of the strength they had gained in remembering that tragedy.
And in winning the shootout, they showed a steely determination to beat they supposedly more illustrious opponents with a performance that was built on an indefatigable sprit.
Congratulations to Zambia and all the Zambian fans from all of us here in NileSports.com /Egypt
And hard luck to Ivory Coast, better luck next time.
We will meet again in South Africa 2013
Watch some highlights of the match here:
Drogba missed Spot kick (in normal time)
Dramatic shoot-out (full) Zambia 8-7 Ivory Coast
Celebration with the African Cup
