2012 AFCON FINALS: Zambia vs Cote d’ Ivoire

“This is the greatest moment that a player can ever have to play in the final,” said Zambia captain Christopher Katongo. “We go to the final without any pressure. We have to take this cup, this is an opportunity. It doesn’t come every day.”

However, before the 2012 AFCON tournament kicked off, Katongo said the following (according to BBC Sport): “As we go to Gabon, every heart will pump so fast when we remember what happened in 1993. The souls are still there and we have to do something about what happened to that team which perished in Gabon.”

One win away. Come on boys! VIVA COSAFA!!!!!!

Posted from  United States

Congratulations Zambia. Let’s meet again in the next CAN.

Zambia is pride of whole southern region of Africa.Boys fight had we are proud of you,take the cup home.

That was a weak penalty kick by Gyan. He should have let Ayew take the penalty. Gyan and the coach must go.

Lowell, the next AFCON is not far away. Fortunately, the Black Stars will go straight into the 3rd Round (AFCON South Africa 2013 Qualifiers). Will the 3rd Round draw be based on FIFA ranking? I don’t think the teams that qualified for AFCON 2012 will meet in the AFCON 2013 Qualifiers -If there will be any then I think the two teams will be AFCON 2012 co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

REV, the boys will need your prayers. The Ivorians have so many weapons. “With the strikers we have, we can score at any moment so the most important thing is to organise ourselves and then we know Gervinho, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure or myself can make the difference.” – Salomon Kalou

Samuel, I think the penalty should have been retaken because Mweene moved off the line before Gyan kicked the ball. The goalkeeper must remain between the goalposts on the goal-line facing the ball until the ball is kicked, but may move from side to side along the goal-line. If the goalkeeper moves forward before the ball is kicked, then the penalty must be kicked again if a goal is not scored. Watch the video again and be the judge. By the way, the linesman was right there.

“He should have let Ayew take the penalty”

According to Ghana Assistant coach Kwesi Appiah, “Gyan is the best penalty taker in the team and it’s unfortunate he failed to score.” Even Kobe Bryant misses free throws at crucial moments, sometimes.

“Gyan and the coach must go.”

Knee jerk reaction?

Posted from  United States

As we stand together as a nation that has emerged to reach the final of the AFCON-I can say Praise be to God Almight,who has favored the Chipolopolo boys. I can say, “GO GET THEM THE LORD IS WITH YOU”.

I don’t know which team to support. May the best team win.

Ivory Coast is going to be a tough team to beat. But the Chipolopolo are capable of doing just that!!!

Finalists Zambia yesterday visited the site of the 1993 Zambia National Team Air Disaster. The team laid wreaths on the beach and sung solemn hymns in the midst of crashing waves in a brief memorial ceremony.

“God has given us this opportunity to be here and now we must win this Africa Cup of Nations for the Zambia national team from 1993” – Zambia coach Herve Renard

And FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya had this to say: “Their dreams are our dreams. It is no coincidence that we are here today. We have worked hard as a team and through a collective effort involving many people however; I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers that lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent a helping hand. In 1993, the Chipolopolo came here to fulfill a promise. They did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause – the dream to bring glory to Our Country, Mother Zambia. It is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former team mates are no longer here. They are shining down on us from heaven as we take part as finalists in this tournament. We pray that their souls will forever rest in Peace and that God give us the strength and the courage to fulfill our dreams and theirs.”

After Zambia beat Ghana, Zambia Coach Herve Renard said: “It was written.“

Posted from  United States

By the way, the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly opened yesterday in Libreville, Gabon. FIFA President Sepp Blatter was in attendance.

South Sudan has been admitted as a provisional member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)- That means the number of CAF Members will be 54.

However, Sudan will not be allowed to take part in World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers until it becomes a full member of FIFA – Membership expected to be granted in 2014.

What about Zanzibar? Last year FIFA rejected Zanzibar’s application to become a member of FIFA because, according to FIFA, Zanzibar is not a sovereign state. Zanzibar’s status as an independent nation came to an end when they formed a union with Tanzania in 1964. The ZFA broke away from the TFF in 2002, after complaining that its interests were ignored by their mainland counterparts, Tanzania.

I think South Sudan will be granted FIFA Membership. The country (South Sudan) was declared independent from Sudan last year.

Posted from  United States

It is by Gods design that Zambia should be performing like that. The spirits of their departed brothers are adding force to their work. Believe you me, no matter what Cote D’ivoure will strive, they will never win the final game.

Shadreck B. Chirwa

Malawi

Shadreck, the Chipolopolo boys still have to show up. Please don’t forget that less than a year after the tragedy, the Chipolopolo boys (Zambia) made it to the 1994 AFCON Finals. 3 minutes into the game, Zambia’s Litana scored (Zambia 1:0 Nigeria). Two minutes later, Nigeria equalised through Amunike. Two minutes into the second half, Amunike scored the winner.

When Zambia reached the 1994 AFCON Finals, everyone then also thought that the Chipolopolo boys were destined to win it.

Posted from  United States

Referees for the 3rd place match between Mali and Ghana:

Referee: Grisha Gihed (Egypt)
Assistant 1: Peter Edibe (Nigeria)
Assistant 2: Moffat Champiti (Malawi)
4th Official: Bakary Gassama (Gambia)

Referees for the Finals:

Referee: Badara Diatta (Senegal)
Assistant 1: Bechir Hassani (Tunisia)
Assistant 2: Evariste Menkouande (Cameroon)
4th Official: Mailley Eddie (Seychelles)

Posted from  United States

Why did Renard drop Given Singuluma and Justin Zulu?

I don’t get it. They would have terrorized Ivory Coast and annihilated Ghana.

dramatic end of the afcon …..good comments but guys, it doesn’t always appear as you see it. take a look at mali’s semi;gud display but something was hard on them.hey, wait a minute…….. the afcon has been missing some africa’s big names. anyway, big up chipololo dudes!!!

Ghana lost again.

The day we have been waiting for is here. Win Zambia Win

Zambia will go into the finals tonight as underdogs by FIFA rankings but our spirits are high that we will emerge as victors. Go Zambia Go!!!

we are behind you although i had a knee injury but my young brother has taken up the place.go zambia go

Zambia will win 1-0.

What an exciting first half. Am proud of the boys. They have proved that football is played on the pitch. Let’s finish them off in the second half.

Drogba misses penalty. We are witnessing history