This month we're looking at a story of redemption. In April 1993, a plane carrying most of the Zambian national team took⁠ off from Gabon in Central Africa. They were on their way to Senegal for a World Cup qualifying match. The team, nicknamed Chipolopolo, which means copper bullets, were one of the strongest Zambia had ever produced. They’d finished third in the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, so were feeling confident that they would make it to their first-ever World Cup finals. Sadly, it wasn’t to be.⁠ ⁠ Shortly after taking off, the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone on board was killed, including eighteen members of the⁠ Zambian team. It was devastating for the whole country, and in particular for Zambia’s captain, Kalusha Bwalya.⁠ ⁠ In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, the final was set to be played in Libreville, the city from which that fateful plane had taken off. Zambia ended up getting to the final against South Africa! A formidable foe. The game went to penalties with 0-0 scored. Both teams scored their penalties until Ivory Coast’s Gervinho. He stepped up to take his kick, but... HE MISSED!⁠ ⁠ Next up was Stoppila Sunzu. He ran up to the ball and hit it with his right foot, and . . . GOOOAAAL! Emotional celebrations broke out all over the pitch and throughout Zambia. The manager, Hervé Renard, dedicated the win to the players who had died all those years ago, so close to the stadium.⁠ ⁠ This story comes from 50 Times Football Changed the World, written by @GaryLineker and Ivor Baddiel - illustrated by @ericasalcedoillustration, which you can learn more about in the link in our bio!