Zambia.

Africa Cup of Nations Champions.

Congratulations.

Getty

afootballreport:

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. Their squad was expected to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, but of course things took a turn for the tragic.

19 years later, there are celebrations all over Zambia. And for good reason. Zambia, for the first time ever, are the Champions of Africa. Accepting the role of underdogs going into the final against the Ivory Coast, a team filled with world class talent like Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, and Gervinho, the Zambians, led by coach Herve Renard, played fearlessly. There were no goals in regulation, so penalty kicks decided who would would be crowned the best team in Africa. Against all odds, Zambia won 8-7 on penalties in what was one of the most dramatic shoot-outs in history. Throughout the shoot-out, the Zambian players and staff were singing, creating a surreal environment that transcended the events partaking on the pitch. The trophy doesn’t make up for what was lost 19 years ago, but tonight a feeling of vindication will fill the air throughout Zambia.

Your socks. I desire them

Getty

Drogba’s goal.

Getty

Look who scored a goal to take his team into the semis of ACoN.

Getty

Equatorial Guinea fans lovin’ the festivities. Nice hair.

Getty

Equatorial Guinea fans. The vuvuzela won’t die.

Getty

Ivory Coast fan cheering on her team before the quarter final match up between Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.

Getty

dynamicafrica:

Afcon Hosts Gabon Make History 

Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts Gabon finished the group stages with a perfect record after a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Franceville on Tuesday night.

Both sides had already booked their place in the quarter-finals before this encounter. For Gabon it is only the second time they have managed this feat, having previously reached the Last 8 stage in the 1996 finals in South Africa.

Talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got the only goal of the game for the home side in the second half, his third in three matches at this year’s tournament.

Tunisia dominated the early stages with Issam Jemaa and Youssef Msakni going close, before Wissem Ben Yahia fired in a stunning drive that went just over the angle of crossbar and post.

Saber Khelifa found the side-netting for the North Africans, while Gabon’s first real chance came after the half-hour mark as Andre Poko headed wide of the target from Roguy Meye’s cross.

The opening goal arrived on 62 minutes when Aubameyang beat Rami Jridi, though the Tunisian goalkeeper will believe he should have stopped the shot.

(cont. reading)

(Source: )