Finalists Zambia visit the site of 1993 Tragedy

The 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finalists, Zambia led by the country’s football association president, Kalusha Bwalya visited the site of the tragic air-crash that killed the Zambia team 19 years ago.  By reaching the final on Sunday were Chipolopolo will meet Ivory Coast, Zambia found themselves in Libreville, Gabon and as Bwalya put it, it was only right that they turned up at the site to remember and honour the gallant fallen heroes of 1993. 

The Zambian players and staff laid reefs during a somber and moving short ceremony on a Libreville beach in Gabon. Bwalya who was a member of the ill-fated team in 1993 but was to make a separate journey from his club base in Netherlands went on to give a brief speech in which he summed up the visit in the phrase “Their dreams are our dreams”, talking about his departed team-mates.

 He went on to say “It is no coincidence that we are here today. We have worked hard as a team and through a collective effort involving many people however; I am convinced that our dearly departed brothers that lost their lives here 19 years ago have lent a helping hand. In 1993, the Chipolopolo came here to fulfill a promise. They did not succeed, but instead gave up their lives for a gallant cause - the dream to bring glory to Our Country, Mother Zambia. It is the same cause that brings us here today, the only difference is that we are alive and our former team mates are no longer here. They are shining down on us from heaven as we take part as finalists in this tournament. We pray that their souls will forever rest in Peace and that God give us the strength and the courage to fulfill our dreams and theirs. ” Concluded Bwalya