Zambians Show Winning Spirit
Change. It is a terrifying word, is it not? It can imply a brutal shake up with harsh consequences or it can imply an uplifting moment of development and progression.
On Sunday Zambian soccer changed forever. It changed in the best way possible.
The underdogs, known on the continent as the Copper Bullets, matched their opponents for all 120 minutes of regulation time and showed their strength of spirit by smashing to an 8-7 win on penalties.
This achievement is fantastic for several reasons.
Firstly Zambia had never won the African Cup of Nations before. Secondly their opponents, the much fancied and star-filled Cote D’Ivoire, had not conceded a goal for the whole tournament. Thirdly they held on to win in Libreville, not far from the site of a plane crash in 1993 where 18 of the Zambian squad were killed.
What stood out the most, though, was the manner in which Zambia took the title. They had been billed as minnows compared to an Elephants side boasting players like the Toure brothers, Cheik Tiote, Gervinho and talismanic striker Didier Drogba.
They hounded that side, however, playing with a forceful will. They conceded a penalty late in the game but were fortunate that Drogba lofted his shot high into the stands. Throughout the game their own goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was strong and vocal.
When it came down to the penalty shoot-out –one of the best I have ever seen –almost every shot was spectacular. It took a something special to break the deadlock and after coolly slotting his own penalty ‘keeper Mweene saved a shot from Kolo Toure to give his team a chance.
Although Rainford Kalaba missed the proceding penalty so did Cote D’Ivoire’s sheepish looking Gervinho. After he slammed the ball high and wide Zambia’s Sunzu stepped up, stared down the goal, and dispatched his shot as pandemonium broke out.
It was a special sight. The Zambians conducted themselves brilliantly, singing in unison as the shoot-out was roaring on in front of them. As they prayed together and banners emblazoned with ‘’93’ were unfurled you knew that something had changed for the better.
Of course you must feel for Cote D’Ivoire who have now played in three finals and lost all of them, still chasing that elusive first ACON title. They had all the raw materials to finally achieve their goal. Their opponents only boasted one player who plies his trade in Europe, striker Emmanuel Mayuka, but they are a shining example that team unity and a belief can carry any team forward.
As coach Herve Renard said, “”We are not the best team around but there was a force that made us champions. A tournament like this is not like a one-off World Cup qualifier. Here you have to be ready for a lot of stiff challenges.”
There was a change in the African Cup of Nations as a new winner was crowned. Many of their players may also experience change as they are chased by European suitors. Who knows? For now they can bask in the adulation of a grateful Zambian nation. They met the stiff challenge with dignity and made their spirit count.
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
FEATURED PARTNERS
- "Game Of Thrones" Valentines
- The 36 Hottest Dogs Of Carnival
- What's Your Sloth Name
- Kate Upton -- I'm Definitely Maybe Dating Jets QB Mark Sanchez
- Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush On Date TOGETHER in Beverly Hills
- John Cena Body Slams Tax Lien
- Amar’e Stoudemire Got a Tattoo in Honor of His Late Brother
- Here’s What You Missed at the Medical Cannabis Cup
- Who’s the Professor That Decided to Be This Much of a D-Bag About Paper Margins?