ZAMBIA’S HEROICS SHOULD INSPIRE SADC

When the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) started not many people thought Southern Africa (with the Council of Southern African Football Association, COSAFA, as its football body) could make a difference at Africa’s premier event. That is given the fact that the region only had three representatives.

And with Botswana and Angola eliminated after the group stages, COSAFA’s task of impressing became more difficult, with Zambia the region’s only hope.

Chipolopolo, as Zambia’s football team is known, were considered rank outsiders against their rivals like Senegal and Ghana - not only were they smaller in size but they were also doing battle in the heart of West Africa.

But after beating Senegal in the first game, it became evident that the team had prepared well for the tournament.

This was proven true as the team reached the semifinals, quite easily in the end, where they faced Ghana on Wednesday.

Ghana was overwhelming favourites with many predicting the Black Stars to reach the final at the expense of the Chipolopolo.

The array of Ghanaian stars like the Ayew siblings, Dede and Jordan, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari and captain John Mensah made it look like a mere walk in the park for the Black Stars whose opponents mostly play in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).

But nobody seemed to have counted on the fighting spirit, belief and sheer will of the Zambian team.

Although Ghana enjoyed the best scoring opportunities in the first half, the whole momentum of the game changed when Kennedy Mweene expertly saved a Gyan penalty.

Zambia’s stay of execution spurred the team on to fight like their lives depended on it and their determination was rewarded when Emmanuel Mayuka scored a beauty of a goal from the edge of Ghana’s penalty box with less than 15 minutes to go.

The fact that Chipolopolo held on for victory again showed their willingness to go the extra mile.

Even though Zambia still has to play Ivory Coast in Sunday’s final, the mere fact that the country has conquered West African teams in their own backyard makes their story heroic.

Their strength in character, determination and self confidence should thus inspire the rest of the COSAFA countries, who always crumble when playing away to West African teams.

click to enlarge Hector Mawonga