Last night the defending champions Zambia became the first AFCON title holders to fail get past the group stages at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa on Tuesday Night after Algeria’s flop in 1992.
They however, failed to register a victory in Group C that saw Burkina Faso and Nigeria qualify for the quarter-finals.
The draw between Zambia and Burkina threw many Zambian fans to their knees to cry but the only consolation that came was through Rainford Kalaba who won the Orange man-of-the match award to end what has been a disastrous campaign for the Chipolopolo since 2008 – the last time Zambia got past the group stage.
The following players were the lineup for Zambia:
Kennedy Mweene, Davies Nkausu (Joseph Musonda 17th), Hichani Himoonde, Stoppila Sunzu, Emmanuel Mbola, Isaac Chansa (Mukuka Mulenga 54th), Rainford Kalaba, Chisamba Lungu (Jonas Sakuwaha 81st), Nathan Sinkala, Emmanuel Mayuka, Collins Mbesuma.
Zambia actually needed nothing than a victory to secure a place in the last eight following a 1 – 1 draw with Ethiopia and later a similar scoreline with Nigeria.
Read also:
http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/01/25/afcon-2013-insight-of-the-1st-match-zambia-vs-nigeria/