2012 Africa Cup of Nations Final

This was the third appearance in the final for Zambia; the "Copper Bullets" lost in 1974 and 1994. After a surprising start and a win over Senegal,[6] they drew with Libya[7] before winning the deciding match against the host Equatorial Guinea and winning the group.[8] In the quarterfinals they won 3–0 against Sudan[9] and shocked Ghana as they defeated them 1–0 in the semifinals.[10] Both Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka scored three goals in the first five matches to help Zambia to reach the final. The match was an emotional one for Zambia, as the stadium in Libreville was just miles away from the site of the 1993 Zambia national football team air disaster, in which 18 players were killed.

Ivory Coast also appeared in their third final. They won it in 1992 and lost in 2006. The "Elephants" had gone through the tournament so far without conceding a goal and winning all of their matches. It started with a victory against Sudan,[11] followed by two wins against Burkina Faso[12] and Angola, the latter one without some of the best players.[13] The quarterfinal was won against co-host Equatorial Guinea,[14] before Mali was beaten 1–0.[15] Didier Drogba joins Katongo and Mayuka with three goals himself at the top of the goalscorers.

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