Zambia hold nerve to beat Ivory Coast, take title

LIBREVILLE,

Zambia conjured up a shock when they toppled star-studded Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out to claim their first ever Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday.

With the sides goalless after extra time Zambia's Stoppila Sunzu converted the magic spot kick after Arsenal striker Gervinho missed for the Elephants.

The result meant misery for hot favourites Ivory Coast, who failed to claim the title despite not conceding a goal throughout the entire competition until Sunday's shootout.

It also revived unhappy memories for Didier Drogba, who missed a penalty in the second half of normal time, and company of their 2006 penalty shoot out final defeat to Egypt in Cairo.

Zambia, motivated by the memory of the 1993 national team wiped out in a plane crash off the Libreville coast, went into the 2012 climax as outsiders.

But they covered themselves with glory, hassling and harrowing their way to the penalty lottery, and then holding their nerve to prevail in the dramatic, barely watchable denouement.

Zambia coach Herve Renard commented: "This represents something enormous, something which appeared unrealisable before the competition began.

"I know we're not the best but we have a strength and force that animated our team."

Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui said: "We didn't expect such challenging a final.

"This is a big disappointment for us. We didn't have much luck, we missed the penalty in normal time, then perhaps lost a bit of confidence.

"We go back to Abidjan with not too much shame. I think we've played a good game. I congratulate Zambia."

Zahoui fielded the same side that saw off Mali 1-0 in the semi-final.

Renard recalled striker Emmanuel Mayuka, after his starring role in getting the decisive goal in the 1-0 last four defeat over Ghana.

He joined captain Christopher Katongo in spearheading the Chipolopolo's (Copper Bullets) attack.

A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in memory of the 74 people killed in the Port Said stadium slaughter in Egypt.

The game was only seconds old when Zambia almost took a shock lead, with keeper Boubacar Barry doing well to save Nathan Sinkala's close range shot off Katongo's quick pass from a Rainford Kalaba corner.

Renard was forced into an unscripted change when defender Joseph Musonda limped off in tears on 11 minutes - Nyambe Mulenga took his place.