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AFCON Countdown – Remembering Zambia’s Unforgettable Triumph in 2012 – 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Zambia national team players celebrate their victory at the end of the 2012 African Cup of Nations Soccer Match, Final, Zambia Vs Ivory Coast in Libreville, Gabon on February 12, 2012. Photo by ABACA/Shutterstock (13448485w)
Sunday Dec 14, 2025. 14:00
Zambia’s astonishing victory at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations stands as one of the most moving and inspirational chapters in African football history. Arriving in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon without the expectations carried by the continent’s traditional heavyweights, Chipolopolo instead carried something far more profound: a collective purpose rooted in memory, resilience and unbreakable belief.
Their journey began in Group A, where Zambia immediately tore up the script. Topping the group ahead of hosts Equatorial Guinea, Libya and a heavily favoured Senegal, they combined discipline, confidence and cohesion in every match. Nothing about their progress felt accidental—Zambia played with intent, conviction and the clear sense that they were building toward something special.
The quarterfinals brought further proof. A commanding 3–0 victory over Sudan showcased their growing momentum and heightened the sense that destiny might be guiding their path. In the semifinals, they faced a formidable Ghana side and delivered another composed performance, sealing a historic win with a solitary goal and booking their place in a final few had predicted.
What followed in Libreville transcended sport. The final was played near the site of the 1993 Zambian Air Force plane crash that claimed the lives of most of the national team, a tragedy forever etched into Zambia’s collective memory. As Chipolopolo battled Ivory Coast through 120 tense, goalless minutes, every challenge, block and moment of perseverance seemed driven by the spirits of those lost.
The penalty shootout that followed—won 8–7—became the ultimate expression of their courage and unity. When Stophira Sunzu converted the decisive kick, the celebrations carried the weight of history. It was a victory that honoured the past as much as it celebrated the present: a moment of healing, remembrance and national pride.
Zambia’s triumph in 2012 remains a powerful example of what makes the Africa Cup of Nations extraordinary—the tournament’s ability to produce stories of resilience, collective spirit and emotional depth. As anticipation for AFCON 2025 grows, the memory of that remarkable campaign continues to shine as one of the competition’s defining legacies.
Kieron: Kilmarnock could have won by three or four and it wouldn’t of flattered them. Hibs were so poor tonight. David Gray’s position is hanging by a thread.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Chris: Question the tactics. Thought for long time long ball is desperate and lacks ambition. Pressure indeed on David Gray.
Lee: If we end the game two points off bottom spot then it’s surely time up for the Hibs manager. It’s not a run and recovery from a bad position needed, it’s deliver and results from the get go the support demands for a club of our size.
Stuart: The players on that pitch have to take as much responsibility as David Gray for this result, nowhere near good enough. Amateur performance.
Paul: Long balls to no-one as usual from Hibs and as usual our keeper is a weak link. Gray has to go even if we win as this is awful football. Bring in Neil Lennon or Steve Clarke asap before our season drifts to nothing as usual.
Andy: How can Gray continue to keep his job? The players are not playing for him. The club is a mess. Banning the only fans that bring an atmosphere. Benching three of our best players. So confusing.
Brian: Worst backline in Scotland, midfielders trot about like headless chickens, feel sorry for strikers. Gray clueless. No plan. No tactics. Blah, blah, blah after game as usual but won’t resign. Board have to act.
SMcDhfc: David Gray has lost the team, it was obvious tonight. As an attacking force, we were shocking, lots of huffing and puffing but not one real effort on target. The players should be embarrassed after that display, but they will get the result they are after, Gray sacked.
Craig: I like Gray but believe it’s time he goes. He has one formation. It’s just not good enough. But, if he goes, Malky MacKay [director of football] should go too. His signings have been terrible.
England’s victory was only the third time Mexico had tasted defeat at the stadium in 90 competitive matches.
Tuchel described it as one of the highlights of the campaign and hailed the “huge bond” within the camp, especially the reaction to Jordan Henderson’s tournament-ending injury after falling over an advertising hoarding while celebrating the Azteca success.
“This game had so much of what you could wish for,” added the German. “If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment Jordan fell over and broke his arm.
“Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special.”
England are next in action against World Cup winners Spain on 26 September in their 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener, with the 2028 European Championships also on Tuchel’s radar.
Confident of ending England’s wait for a first senior men’s trophy since 1966, he believed their World Cup run not only cemented his relationship with the squad – “it feels like they are my players now” – but also represented “something to build on”.
Tuchel added: “I’m very excited. I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.”
Under the Good Friday Agreement – the 1998 peace accord that followed the conflict colloquially known as The Troubles – those born in Northern Ireland can hold both British and Irish passports.
A Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in 2010 means players born anywhere on the island of Ireland are able to represent the Republic of Ireland regardless of whether they fulfil any other measure of eligibility, namely being born in the territory, having a biological mother, father, grandmother or grandfather born in the territory, or having lived there for an uninterrupted period of five years.
Players born in the Republic of Ireland, however, cannot represent Northern Ireland unless they are otherwise eligible.
“We exploit eligibility, the same as every other country does, down to the grandparent rule, but this is a rule which is obviously unique between ourselves and the FAI [Football Association of Ireland],” said O’Neill.
“I think everyone recognises it’s not particularly fair, but as I say, our focus is to make sure our pathway for our young players is as good as possible and that’s a pathway for boys from any part of the community.”
In May, FAI director of football John Martin said the organisation should at “the bare minimum” be sounding out eligible players.
“We know there are kids out there who want to play for Ireland who haven’t been approached in the past,” said Martin.
“That’s not right. It’s making sure we have a presence and we understand all the players available to us, and that they are being monitored and tracked.”
When asked whether the narrative around young players in or around his squad is tiresome to him, O’Neill said: “It would have been in the past, it’s not tiresome now.
“We have people who comment on this and talk about nationality and talk about identity and talk about all these different things, which are part of being born in Northern Ireland and growing up in Northern Ireland.
“But I think what we’re missing now is that we’re putting young players in a situation where they have to make a decision which is irreversible.”
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