0 African Nations Cup 2012: Zambia clinched the cup after prominent Ivory coast star Didier Drogba, Kolo Touré and Yao Kouassi Gervinho miss penalty kicks.
African cup of Nations 2012 came to an end with Zambia beating highly rated Ivory Coast on penalty shoot-out after 0-0 score in extra time. Zambia won the crown as consolation of county lost 19 years ago when 18 member of the squad died in Libreville after plane crash. Ivory coast playing their 19th Africa Cup of Nations finals while Zambia 15th, but both team were play the final for only third time. Ivory Coast won the cup in 1992 and Zambia was looking for their first cup having finished second place on 1974 and 1994. This year’s final brought 18th (1st) and 71st (16th) teams in FIFA ranking in world and CAF in bracket respectively.
Ivory Coast earned a penalty on regulation time after a penalty box foul on Gervinho, but Didier Drogba took the penalty and sent the high above the bar and put his team on penalty shoot-out risk. Both team start well in penalty shoot-out, Ivory Coast taking the first penalty leaving Zambia with tough task of coming from behind and level the score. The shootout went correctly for the penalty kickers but not for the goalkeepers, until it was 7-7 each. Then came the two consecutive miss for Ivory Coast by Kolo Touré and Yao Kouassi Gervinho sandwiching Zambia miss by Rainford Kalaba. 22 years old Stophira Sunzu took the next penalty for Zambia and converted to make the score 8-7 and won the African Cup of Nations for his country.
Chipolopolo coach Herve Renard was confident winning the tie and confidence translated to his players who faced highly rated players in the world at every position. Zambia became only the second team in The Southern part of Africa to lift the cup after South Africa
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Top scorers
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