Ivorian FA congratulates Zambia
Ivory Coast football federation (FIF) has sent a letter of congratulation to newly-crowned African champions Zambia after both sides clashed in the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on February 12.
The Ivorian football body praised the brilliant performance of the Chipolopolo, and said it was proud of the exhilarating game the two teams offered to Africa and the world.
“Now that the emotions have waned, I would like to, on my behalf and on behalf of the executive committee of the Ivory Coast Football Federation, express my sincere congratulations to you on your brilliant performance,” the FIF president Augustine Sidy Diallo said on Monday in a letter sent to his Zambian counterpart Kalusha Bwalya.
The Ivorian FA described the success of the Zambian team as the fruit of a “sustained effort in management and solidarity by the Zambia football federation towards its team before and during the tournament.”
And despite the loss of the Elephants that plunged the entire West African nation into deep sorrow, the FIF said it was also sending a message of consolation and solidarity to all Zambians for the 1993 plane disaster.
“Beyond the hard-won trophy, we join you in honouring the memories of those lost in the tragic event that your football experienced 19 years ago on the soil of Gabon. We also wish February 12’s experience will further strengthen the links between Ivorians and Zambians for the joy of African football,” Diallo concluded.
Zambia defeated Ivory Coast in a nerve-racking encounter decided by a penalty shootout, which the Southern Africans carried off on a 8-7 score to win their first Afcon title.
