It's going to take something absolutely monumental to top this moment on a similar stage at any point this year or perhaps in the long-distance future.

Herve Renard, Zambia's coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia's AFCON win.

It's going to take something absolutely monumental to top this moment on a similar stage at any point this year or perhaps in the long-distance future.

Herve Renard, Zambia's coach and honorary royalty in the nation now, one would assume, carries the injured Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia's AFCON win.

In one of the most exciting African Cups ever, Zambia defeated favorites Ivory Coast 8-7 in penalty kicks. Zambia celebrated their monumental victory at Libreville, Gabon, only miles away from... Read more »

In one of the most exciting African Cups ever, Zambia defeated favorites Ivory Coast 8-7 in penalty kicks. Zambia celebrated their monumental victory at Libreville, Gabon, only miles away from... Read more »

I think all of those who watched yesterday's African Cup of Nations Final match between Ivory Coast and Zambia share my feeling: we were privileged to be allowed to participate in one of the more remarkable moments in modern sporting history. It was one, of course, that went largely under the radar in the U.

Zambia's win over Ivory Coast in last night's African Nations Cup final may have come as a surprise, but their win was said to be "written in the stars". Here, a dancer in a traditional outfit holds the trophy to be presented to the Zambian team/ via Reuters

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By Chris Wright

No talk, just lovely, lovely photos (open images in a new tab to see them in all their full-size majesty) from what proved to be an amazing tournament for all the right reasons...

[Photos: PA]

More 2012 ACoN-related stuff on Pies.

While most of the soccer world were talking and cascading about Liverpool striker Luis Suarez's snub to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a season marred by racism not only in the EPL but across Europe, there was something magical about to happen in Gabon as rank outsiders Zambia took on the might of Ivory Coast in the African Nations Cup final.

I can hardly believe it myself. After 120 scoreless minutes, Zambia defeated Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty kick shootout to capture Zambia's first ever African Nations Cup, in Libreville Gabon, the site of the 1993 plane crash that claimed the lives of nearly all of Zambia's national team.Early on, Zambia's starting defender Joseph Musonda injured his knee in just the 11th minute, and broke down
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I can hardly believe it myself. After 120 scoreless minutes, Zambia defeated Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty kick shootout to capture Zambia's first ever African Nations Cup, in Libreville Gabon, the site of the 1993 plane crash that claimed the lives of nearly all of Zambia's national team.Early on, Zambia's starting defender Joseph Musonda injured his knee in just the 11th minute, and broke down
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Didier and Sala are coming home. Thank the lord almighty. More, after the jump:

Coming up empty

Well it's been a shit sandwich around these parts for the last month- crystallized by that pathetic/shambolic performance we were witness to on Saturday. So forgive me for latching on to the tiniest bit of hope, but I need this.

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 ( Zambia Cote d'Ivoire video below) Final score and result:- Zambia vs Ivory Coast 0-0 ( Zambia win 8-7 on penalties) Stade de Angondje, [.

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 ( Zambia Cote d'Ivoire video below) Final score and result:- Zambia vs Ivory Coast 0-0 ( Zambia win 8-7 on penalties) Stade de Angondje, [.

LIBREVILLE, Gab. (Notimex).— La selección de Zambia se coronó por primera ocasión como campeón de la Copa Africana de Naciones 2012, de futbol celebrada en Guinea Ecuatorial-Gabón, luego de empatar 0-0, en tiempo regular y extra ante Costa de Marfil, para luego en tiros penales imponserse por 8-7, en el Stade d' Andgondjé.

Resultado Final de la Copa Africana de Naciones 2012
3er Lugar Copa AfricanaSábado 11 de Febrero de 20120 Ghana vs Malí 2
Final Copa AfricanaDomingo 12 de Febrero de 2012(8) 0 Zambia vs Costa de Marfil 0 (7)
Zambia Campeón
Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

In a scene reminiscent of U.S. women's gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi carrying Kerri Strug to collect her Olympic goal medal in 1996, Herve Renard, Zambia's 43-year-old French manager, carried injured defender Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia's historic first-ever African Cup of Nations title after beating the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout.

Underdogs like Hickory High, Zambia pulled off the unthinkable on Sunday, overrunning the Ivory Coast for an unbelievable penalty shootout victory and a right to hold the African Cup of Nations to the sky.

Zambia was charged and Ivory Coast's Prem duo of Gervinho and Didier Drogba couldn't find the netting against the stout side.

Zambia win the African Cup of Nations, honor those lost 19 years ago in plane crash

After taking off from Libreville in Gabon 19 years ago, a military plane carrying most of the squad crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. All 30 people on board, including 18 players, were killed. Before the crash, it was a golden era for Zambia's football team.

Zambia win the African Cup of Nations, honor those lost 19 years ago in plane crash

After taking off from Libreville in Gabon 19 years ago, a military plane carrying most of the squad crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. All 30 people on board, including 18 players, were killed. Before the crash, it was a golden era for Zambia's football team.

Didier Drogba had a golden chance to win it for Ivory Coast in regulation but missed his spot kick by a MILE. That set the stage for a nail biting PK shootout with both teams deadlocked after 120 minutes + which was won by Zambia as Sunzu Stophira converted his penalty after Gervinho's miss.

Zambia's sensational African Cup of Nations has just ended with emotional glory when they defeated the huge favourites Côte d'Ivoire in an intense final in Libreville! Like everyone in the stadium (except the Ivorians), I also got carried away by the glorious spirit, fight, and the memory of the 1994 team that died in Gabon.

Zambia's sensational African Cup of Nations has just ended with emotional glory when they defeated the huge favourites Côte d'Ivoire in an intense final in Libreville! Like everyone in the stadium (except the Ivorians), I also got carried away by the glorious spirit, fight, and the memory of the 1994 team that died in Gabon.

In an amazing game tonight, Zambia won the African Cup of Nations after the game with the Ivory Coast ended 0-0 after extra time, and Zambia won the penalty shoot-out 8-7 with the Ivory Coast missing their last two penalties through Kolo Toure and Gervinho. Didier Drogba missed a penalty for the Ivory Coast after 70 minutes when he blazed over the bar.

The amazing Chipolopolos pull off the impossible as Gervinho misses his PK. The art of war, Sunzu Stophira made no mistake with his chance as Zambia win their first ACN.

A fairy tale end for a country who lost so much 19 years ago in one of sport's heart breaking tragedies minutes away from Libreville, the venue for today's finals.

Zambia emerged as the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions on Sunday after defeating the heavily favoured Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties following a 0-0 draw. While the Zambia Nike...

Zambia emerged as the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions on Sunday after defeating the heavily favoured Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties following a 0-0 draw. While the Zambia Nike...

Africa Cup of Nations final preview Zambia are winners regardless of result is a post from: Just Football

With the final today, here is my latest Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for FourFourTwo.com on Zambia and their remarkable journey to the final:

Together they walked slowly to the coastline, singing in unison.

By Chris Wright

In 1993, April 27th to be precise, the Zambian national team suffered a terrible tragedy (the country's worst sporting disaster) when a flight taking the entire Zambian squad and their management to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 500 metres off the coast of Libreville, Gabon.

Iniciamos Febrero y con ello llegamos al fin de una nueva edición de la Copa de África. Este domingo una Costa de Marfil comandada entre otros por los hermanos Touré y el gran Didier Drogba tendrá la opción de proclamarse por segunda vez en su historia campeona del continente africano, y es que los elefantes se enfrentarán a una selección insólita en estas citas como es la de Zambia, que se cargó a Ghana en semifinales y que ha sido la gran sorpresa de las muchísimas que han acompañado al siempre interesante campeonato de las naciones de África.

Above, you see Zambia's Emmanuel Mayuka celebrating after scoring the game's only goal against Ghana in the African Nations Cup semi-final yesterday. Asamoah Gyan had missed an 8th minute penalty kick for Ghana and was removed for a substitute late in the game.Asamoah Gyan was fouled in the box and took the penalty himself, but Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene made the save to keep the game
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Above, you see Zambia's Emmanuel Mayuka celebrating after scoring the game's only goal against Ghana in the African Nations Cup semi-final yesterday. Asamoah Gyan had missed an 8th minute penalty kick for Ghana and was removed for a substitute late in the game.Asamoah Gyan was fouled in the box and took the penalty himself, but Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene made the save to keep the game
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Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Jacques Gosso Gosso celebrates his team's progress to the final by mounting Emmanuel Eboue. How nice! Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images.

Well, despite our promises, the Africa Cup of Nations has been continuing without us paying it the slightest bit of attention.

The winning goal for the Taranga Lions was all Gervinho in the 44th minute. The Arsenal winger robbed the ball well behind the half line, and then turned on the burners to blow past the Malian defense down the left channel, cutting in for a superb finish.

Arsenal cannot wait to have him back.

The amazing Chipolopolos scored the winning goal in the 77th minute as substitute Emmanuel Mayuka found space and on the turn curled a right footed shot past Adam Kwarsey in goal. It was probably the second chance for the Zambians and very much against the run of play.

The Black Stars should have gone ahead early as Asamoah Gyan missed out on a golden chance when his penalty was stopped by Kennedy Mweene (bringing back painful memories of his World Cup PK miss against Uruguay).

Buenas! The realists and statisticians among you won't be surprised that Barcelona defeated the very loveable Valencia 2-0 last night. But as it seems, Madrid are frontrunners to win the La Liga, so el Blaugranas will be hoping to take home their 26th Spanish Cup title title.

Zambia is into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 after surprising pre-tournament favorites Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday. Featuring a squad of...

Zambia is into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 after surprising pre-tournament favorites Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday. Featuring a squad of...

On this week's review section we congratulate Zambia and the Ivory Coast on making it through to the Africa Cup of Nations final, while we look at the crisis with the England national team. You can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast

Los favoritos no desilusionaron, ya que los 'Elefantes' vencieron 1-0 a Malí y accedieron a la gran final de la Copa de África 2012, gracias al gol del jugador del Arsenal, Gervinho. Así los marfileños irán por el título continental ante Zambia el 12 de febrero.
Costa de Marfil se transformó en el segundo finalista de la Copa de África 2012 tras vencer 1-0 a Malí en la semifinal de la competición.

Odds before the tournament of Zambia making it to the AFCON final probably weren't particularly high they've never won and have only been to two finals, the last nearly twenty years ago. ELO has them 56th in the world, but for all intents and purposes, they'll be at least second on the continent come Sunday after Emmanuel Mayuka's goal against Ghana today, cementing their late upset.