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The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was sensationally won for the first time in history by the Zambian national team, who defeated the favorites, the Ivory Coast team, in the final after an 11-meter penalty shootout.
The main time and extra time ended goalless 0-0.
This was the second time that the Ivory Coast team had lost in the final. In 2006, they were defeated by Egypt, so the country's football fans will have to wait for another trophy, which was won by the team two decades ago.
The Zambian players dominated most of the match, but could not beat the excellent opponent goalkeeper Boubacar Barry. However, in the 70th minute, the leader of the Ivory Coast team, Didier Drogba, had a great opportunity to score, but he missed the penalty shot.
Out of the first 14 shots in the decisive shootout, only Rainford Kalaba of Zambia was accurate, as Kolo Toure and Gervinho of the Ivory Coast missed their shots.
Zambia dedicated the victory to the 18 national team players who died in a tragic plane crash in 1993. Despite this loss, Zambia reached the final in 1994, but failed to win the trophy.
Mali secured the third place by defeating Ghana 2-0 thanks to Checko Diabate's goals.
The best player of the tournament was recognized as the Zambian national team and Chinese "Henan Construction" club striker Christopher Katongo, who scored three goals in total. The Fair Play Award went to the Ivory Coast team and their defender Jean-Jacques Gosso, who played for the Turkish "Orduspor" team.
Zambia 0 - 0 Ivory Coast (11-meter penalty shootout 8-7)
70' D.Drogba (Ivory Coast) missed an 11-meter penalty
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