The air is pregnant with expectation; the excitement is palpable.

There is an acute sense of anxiety and even veritable apprehension in some quarters about the impending clash between the two giants pitied against meach other--Zambia's 'Chipolopolo' (copper bullets) and 'The Elephants' of Ivory Coast.

The Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final slated for this Sunday has all the ingredients of a battle royal.

Both sides have highly gifted and experienced players who should serve out an exciting game of football.

In the semi-final triumph over four-time champions Ghana on Wednesday, the Zambia National Soccer Team proved beyond doubt that they had the tenacity, resilience and ingenuity to overcome all odds.

True grit
The Zambian defence showed true grit and character in the game against the Ghanaians and managed to fend off incessant attacks in the first half, including a fantastic penalty save by the Zambian goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene.

The change in tactical approach in the second half by Zambia's coach, Herve Renard, raised the tempo of the match --a switch which proved invaluable as the Zambians tenaciously fought back and eventually outwitted the Ghanaians via a superb strike by substitute Emmanuel Mayuka.

Zambia will be playing in the Nations Cup final for the third time.

The country has lost two finals before, against Zaire (now Congo DR) Leopards in Cairo, Egypt, in 1974 and against Nigeria in Tunisia in 1994. The two defeats were bitter pills to swallow, but there are many lessons to be learnt from the two failures.

Zambians are not weighed down by adversity; in fact it tends to spur them to do even better.

The final of 1994 against Nigeria was an improbable feat, coming against a backdrop of a national disaster of April 28, 1993 when the country lost its entire national soccer team, officials and one journalist in a plane crash off the coast of Libreville, Gabon.

Following the demise of that team, nobody expected Zambia to rise, literally, from the ashes and overcome all odds to reach the final.

Excitement
But that is exactly what Zambia did--the new team and a handful of old players--played with passion and gave the country renewed hope after a disaster of grotesque proportions had dampened the nation's mood.

Finals are not won by the faint-hearted, nor are they won by over-confident and complacent players who are more prone to err because they will have underrated their opponents.

Finals are won by real warriors, and Zambians have proved that at this year's tournament.

Finals are won by hard work, resilience, tenacity and the ability to think beyond the coach's tactics.

Again, this was best exemplified in the tactics employed in the game against the Libyans, played on a treacherous, water-logged pitch which summoned all the ingenuity in the players to keep the ball moving -- the vagaries of the weather notwithstanding.

The excitement which has gripped the nation is palpable.

The reason is simple: Zambia has never won the nation's cup despite its indisputable prowess at the game.

Memorable
Two finals ended in failure in the past, but there should be no excuse this time around.

As the hours tick away, and the third final featuring Zambia beckons, the sad memories of the Gabon disaster are rekindled, for it was on that country's soil where the remains of the national team were strewn on the shores of the Atlantic coast in Libreville.

Zambia needs a win on Sunday to banish the sad memories of the Gabon disaster and honour the heroes who perished in that country enroute to Senegal for the joint Africa Cup and World Cup qualifier.
All considered, Sunday's game should be a memorable final which will leave indelible memories on the minds of all Zambians. The boys and coach Renard have acquitted themselves well thus far and deserve commendation and support from the Government, the corporate world and the public.

FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya and his team also deserve a pat on the back for building a formidable team.

Source: allAfrica/Times of Zambia