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| Zambia takes the Cup! |
At 7:30pm, Zambia and the Ivory Coast began the final match of the Africa Cup of Nations (Picture the Superbowl but it's countries, and real football. Then multiply your team pride by an exponent of a thousand.). Zambia, the underdog team, had never even made it to the finals round of the AFCON in their history as a team. Needless to say, this was THE chance for Zambia to prove itself to all of Africa, to show that despite being lesser known that the IC football team, they came to win.
Zambia's defense was spot on last night, even after one of its top defenders was injured within the first ten minutes of the match. At half time the score was nil-nil. When 90 minutes was up and not a point had been scored (and the Ivory Coast had missed the one PK of the match!), overtime started. However, as the teams played into the night through a steady drizzle and the deafening cheers of fans, defense on both sides held strong, and the scoreboard remained unchanged.
Next came the penalty kicks. At this point, I was practically hyperventilating with excitement and anxiousness about the outcome. Christoph and Andrew joined me to cheer for the Chipolopolo boys. Zambia and the Ivory Coast each made 4 of the 5 goals (including a PK by the Zambian goalkeeper, Mweene, which I found surprising, but it seemed to catch the IC goalie off-guard!). Tied again.
It was time for sudden death. I almost couldn't watch, as Zambia and the IC both scored their next PKs. The seventh penalty kicks were both missed. Then, in the most exciting moment of Zambian football - I'd argue ever - the IC missed their PK and Sunzu NAILED his right into the goal, making Zambia the CHAMPIONS OF AFRICA!
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| cheering Zambia to victory with Christoph, Andrew, and Courtney! |
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