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

Christopher Katongo Zambia 3

Emmanuel Mayuka Zambia 3

Didier Drogba Cote d'Ivoire 3

Cheick Diabate Mali 3

Manucho Angola 3

Houssine Kharja Morocco 3

Pierre Aubameyang Gabon 3

African Cup of Nations Zambia vs Ivory Coast video highlights

0 Africa Cup of Nations 2012: Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea secured a $1 million bonus plus plus $20,000 for a goal in 1-0 victory against Libya

Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea secured a $1 million bonus plus $20,000 for a goal in 1-0 victory against Libya in African Nations Cup opening game of the tournament. The bonus is a reward promised by president son Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Midfielder Javier Balboa scored the winning goal on 87'.

For Libya team this is more than just a football tournament, it is coupled by celebration for Libya freedom post Colonel Gadaffi. El Khatroushi and Juma Gtat joined the then rebel force and fight Gadaffi regimen. El Khatroushi said “Everybody is afraid of dying at a young age, but we had to do something,” …… “I'm proud of what we did, but that's not why we fought. We did it for our country.”

Equatorial Guinea vs Libya video highlights

The tournament give opportunity for more football minor teams to show their quality as the famous Africa giants Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa failed to qualify. Ivory Coast are clear favorites and would fance the opportunity to capitalize on absence of Africa giant. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Koro Toure and Yahya Toure are among top player among with many others.